USA > Kansas > Wyandotte County > Kansas City > Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. Historical and biographical. Comprising a condensed history of the state, a careful history of Wyandotte County, and a comprehensive history of the growth of the cities, towns and villages > Part 54
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Elisha J. Camp, of the Camp Real Estate & Rental Company, of Kansas City, Kas., is one of the reliable agents in this section and is thoroughly posted on the value of real estate in this city and locality. He was born in Will County, Ill., in 1858, but grew to manhood and was educated in Washington, D. C. His parents, John J. and Eliza- beth J. (Warner) Camp, were born in Hartford, Conn., and Lima, N. Y., respectively. The father was clerk of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia for thirty years, or until his death, which oc- curred some eight months since, but is still survived by his widow, who makes her home in Washington, D. C. Elisha J. Camp graduated from St. Mary's College, Maryland, after which he entered the Colum- bia University of Washington City, and was graduated from the law department of this institution in 1878, after which he was with the firm of Edwards & Bassett for some time. He then became librarian of the Bar Association, but gave this up to become his father's deputy, in which capacity he served for one year, having previously served in that capacity some four or five years while a law student, then came west to Kansas City, Kas., which place he reached in the early part
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of 1880, and for a long time was in the mail service. After giving up this business he began working for the Husted Investment Company, and was the efficient manager of the real estate department. Upon enter- ing this office there was only one salesman, but when he left there were twenty five people employed and all were kept very busy. He opened an office of his own on May 1, 1890, and although he has only been established a short time, he has already built up a substantial business. He was married in 1884, to Miss Claude M. Nichols, a native of Ohio. He is a stanch Republican 'in his views, a member of the Episcopal Church, and belongs to the National Union.
John G. Carlson was born in Sweden on January 10, 1862, a son of Carl and Maria Johnson, being one of their four children: Anna, Sophia, John G. and Carl I, all of whom are living. The father of these children, who was a farmer by occupation, died in Sweden in 1878. John G. Carlson spent his life on his father's farm, and be- tween the ages of seven and fourteen years he attended school, ob- taining a fair education. At the age of eighteen years, in company with his younger brother, Carl I., they bade adieu to their mother and two sisters and started for America, and in the month of May, 1880, landed at New York, and went at once to Boulder, Colo., where a rela- tive of theirs was living. John G. worked upon a farm near that place for one season, after which he spent eight years in the mountains of Western Colorado, at a place called Central City, and another called Black Hawk, both in Gilpen County. While in those places he was employed in stamp mills, but the last two years he spent as a clerk in a grocery store. During the school years of 1886-87 and 1887-88, he was a student in Bethany College, at Lindsberg, Kas., and during the summer of 1887, he was a student for three months in Spaulding's Commercial College, of Kansas City, Mo. In the month of October, 1889, he came to Kansas City, Kas., and in partnership with his brother, Carl I, engaged in the grocery business, and the firm, under the name of Carlson Brothers, has done a very prosperous business ever since. Their establishment is one of the representative ones of the kind in the city and is conducted in a good two-story brick building at No. 202 James Street, a desirable location. Their patronage is large and their store is considered an excellent place at which to do business. His brother Carl, who is in partnership with him, has been a resident of Kansas City, five years, and is a graduate of Spaulding's Commercial College. They are energetic and reliable business men, although they are young they have become well and
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favorably known to the public. They are young men of excellent habits, courteous and agreeable, and besides establishing a large trade they have a large circle of warm friends. Their mother and two sis- ters came to America in 1889, the former being a resident of Kansas City, Kas., and the latter of Kansas City, Mo., Anna, now being the wife of Andrew Rydman. The entire family are members of the Swedish Lutheran Church.
. James T. Cassidy. Not without justice Mr. Cassidy is conceded to hold an enviable position among the prominent and successful mer- chants of Kansas City, Kas., and as a dealer of groceries is meeting with almost unparalleled success. He was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, February 15, 1845, and is a son of Archibald and Eliza (Brown) Cassidy, both of whom were born in Ireland, removed to America while single, and were married in Canada about the year 1839. The paternal grandparents both died in Ireland, but their six children-five sons and one daughter-came to America, only one of whom is living, Charles Cassidy, who resides in Baltimore, Md. The mother of James T. Cassidy, came to America with her father and mother, William and Bessie (Taylor) Brown, when she was ten years of age. To Archibald Cassidy and his wife a family of ten children was born, their names being as follows: John A., Charles D., James T., William H., Jane, Mary A., Eliza, Eliza J., Margaret and Vic- toria. Jane and Eliza are deceased. The father of these children, in early manhood, taught a few terms of school, but later in life followed the pursuit of a farmer, and died in Canada in 1867. He was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a man who possessed many worthy traits of character. The subject of this sketch spent his youth on a farm in Canada, and at the age of eighteen years came to the United States, and after spending three years in a gun factory in Manchester, N. H., and some time in a turning factory, he went to Midland City, Mich., where for a few years he was engaged in the cigar and tobacco business. In 1871 he came to Kansas and spent a few months at Fort Scott, after which he went to Henry County, Mo., where for four years he was engaged at farming. In 1875 he returned eastward as far as Monticello, Ill., where, after farming one year, he engaged in the drug business in the town of Summit, which calling received his attention for two years. 'In 1878 he came to Kansas City, Mo., and during his three years residence there was engaged in the produce business. He was married there on May 15, 1880, to Miss Alice Muller, who is a native of Switzerland, born November 6, 1854, a
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daughter of Jacob and Mary (Elmiger) Muller, who still reside in their native land. Mrs. Cassidy was the seventh of nine children- five sons and four daughters-their names being: Joseph, Xaver, Yost, Mary, Anna, Vrenu, Aloyius, Alice and Kaspar, the latter being deceased. Mrs. Cassidy was the only member of the family to come to America. She crossed the ocean with an aunt in 1873 and in 1883 removed with her husband, Mr. Cassidy, to Wyandotte County, Kas., locating on a farm two miles west of Kansas City, Kas., where he resided two years. In 1884 he removed to the city and opened a grocery store on the corner of Centre Avenue and Fifth Street, and to this calling he has given his attention ever since with satisfactory results. In 1885 he removed his establishment to No. 700 North Sixth Street, and here now holds forth. His marriage has resulted in the birth of five children: Francis Joseph (born February 24, 1881), Thomas Emmet (born April 15, 1883), Archibald Benedict (born December 27, 1885), Mabel A. (born October 30, 1887), and Leonetta (born February 13, 1889). Mr. Cassidy is a Republican, and socially belongs to the I. O. O. F.
P. H. Cassin, one of the oldest contractors of Kansas City, Kas., came to this city in the fall of 1875, and has continued to do a flour- ishing business up to the present date, doing nearly all the culvert and bridge work in this county. His birth occurred in Ballingarry, Ireland, March 17, 1856, be being this son of James and Johanna (Powers) Cassin. The father was a contractor and builder, working principally for the royalty, being engaged by Lord Orman to build bridges on his estate. The subject of this sketch at an early age ceased to attend school, receiving in consequence only a moderate amount of education. He learned his trade in the old country, serv- ing as an apprentice for five years. Coming to the United States in 1872, he settled in Philadelphia, Penn., where he lived for a period of seven years, and from there went to Washington, D. C., where he was engaged in the war and navy departments, and spent sixteen months in building the Georgetown College. From there he came to Kansas. He married Miss Jane Stanley, daughter of James Stanley, and who was born in Ireland. This union was blessed with four childen, viz. : James, Johanna, Mary and Joseph. In politics Mr. Cassin is in sym- pathy with the Democratic party. He is a member of the J. A. O. H., of which he is marshal. Both himself and family are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church, and devote much attention to aiding religious causes. Mr. Cassin is an enterprising, public-spirited man, having
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contributed greatly to the advancement of the community in which he resides. Among men of every nation and class there is a feeling of respect for those who by their own exertion and by means of their natural ability have won for themselves prominent places in commer- cial circles.
Allen Chadwick, postmaster, Armourdale, Kas. Mr. Chadwick, one of the esteemed and highly respected citizens of Armourdale, was born in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio, on October 5, 1836, and is the son of Cyrus and Elizabeth (Walker) Chadwick, the father a native of Vermont and the mother of Ohio. Both families are of English descent, and the Walker family was among the first settlers of Hamilton County, Ohio. The paternal great-grandfather was a captain in the Revolutionary War, and the grandfather, Bartholomew Chadwick, was born in Massachusetts and was a member of the Ver- mont Legislature. The latter emigrated to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1820, was a farmer by vocation, and died in Hamilton County, Ohio. The father of our subject was also a farmer and also passed his last days in Ohio as did the mother. Their family consisted of six children-three sons and three daughters: W. W. (resides in Leavenworth County), Cynthia (deceased), Rebecca (wife of J. T. Williamson), Mary J. (de- ceased), and D. J. Allen Chadwick, the second in order of birth of the above-mentioned children, received his education in the common schools, and assisted his father in cultivating the soil. In August, 1862, he was filled with a patriotic desire to aid his country, and was shipped as a seaman or a navy member, serving on the gunboat, the United States steamer " Cincinnati." He was on this boat when she sank at Vicks- burg, having thirteen shots through her hull. He was then trans- ferred to the " Mortor " boat at the siege of Vicksburg, and the con- cussion of the same caused a deafness in his right ear, the effects of his firing the gun. He was also on the gunboat, "Lexington" in the service. He was discharged from the hospital Pinkney at Memphis, Tenn., in 1863, and after returning home resumed his farming. Sub- sequently he was appointed clerk in the post-office at Cincinnati, Ohio, and held the position for eight years and fifteen days. In 1886 he came to Kansas City, Kas., engaged in the real estate business, and this carried on until appointed to his present office in May, 1889. Mr. Chadwick was the first postmaster appointed in Kansas after Harri- son's election. He was married in 1857 to Miss Emma Compton, a native of Ohio, by whom he has two children: Alice (wife of Hon. G. L. Coates), and Clara (wife of Ira D. Washburn, of Cincinnati, Ohio).
G
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He is a Thirty-second Degree Mason or a Scottish Rite, and a charter member of Israel Ludlow Post, of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Edwin H. Chandler is a member of the firm of Teufel & Chandler, proprietors of a planing-mill at the northeast corner of Fourth Street and Oakland Avenue, Kansas City, Kas., and was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., February 18, 1856, being a son of Nelson M. and Harriet E. (Wilkinson) Chandler, the former of whom was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., and the latter in England. She came to America with her mother when a very small child, her father having come a few months before, and here she was reared to womanhood. Her marriage with Mr. Chandler took place in 1852, and to them a family of five children was born-four sons and one daughter: Charles W., Edwin H., John L., William W. and Harriet E., of whom the eldest and the youngest are deceased, three sons being now alive. The parents are still living, their home being in Ottawa, Kas., where they settled on May 12, 1869. Edwin H. Chandler resided in his native county until he was thirteen years of age, at which time he accompanied his parents to Kansas, and until twenty-two years of age he assisted his father on the farm and attended school alternately. He thus ac- quired an excellent education and at the above mentioned age began teaching school, a calling he continued to follow for two years, a por- tion of his vacations being spent in attending normal school. Besides a thorough knowledge of the common branches, he acquired an excellent insight into algebra, physical geography, botany, drawing and book- keeping. When examined for a certificate to teach he received a first- class certificate. In the spring of 1880 he went to Chicago, where, . from April 17, 1880, until August 1, 1880, he was employed in a hard- wood lumber-yard for P. G. Dodge & Co., and from that time until April 16, 1888, was an employe of O. D. Wetherell, a lumber dealer and the proprietor of a planing-mill. In the spring of the last-named year Mr. Chandler went to Clear Water, Mo., where he bought a one- third interest in the Wayne Lumber Company, of which he was treas- urer one year, at the end of which time he disposed of his stock, taking as part pay, a stock of general merchandise at Clear Water, which he owned and conducted seven months and a half. In August, 1889, he disposed of his stock and returned to Ottawa, Kas., and after a visit of one month with his parents he came to Kansas City, Kas., and on October 1, 1889, purchased a half interest in his present establishment which is now netting himself and partner a good annual income. He is a pushing, enterprising and intelligent gentleman, and is doing ex-
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ceptionally well, financially. He was married on June 2, 1890, to Miss Emma Lynch, of Chicago, and although he and his wife have only re- sided in Kansas City for a short time, they have made many warm friends.
Eli H. Chandler is the American manager of the English and American Mortgage Company (limited), and has been such since 1886. He was born, reared and educated in Delaware, receiving the advan- tages of a high-school training, afterward graduating in law, and was admitted to the bar in December, 1877. He came almost immediately to Kansas and first took up his abode in Topeka and for a number of years was engaged in practicing law there, after which he went to Lon- don, England, and organized the present company of which he has since been the efficient manager. He is one of the stockholders and directors of the same, and the business of the company could be in no more efficient hands than his. He is wide awake, enterprising and thoroughly honorable in all his dealings and has built up a reputation that goes far toward making him successful. He has always supported the men and measures of the Republican party, and has always been interested in local politics in the different communities in which he has resided. His ancestors came from England about 1688, and are of old Quaker stock. The most of the male members of the family have been worthy tillers of the soil, but some have become eminent profes- sional men. Mr. Chandler has recently received the appointment of vice consul for Great Britain at Kansas City, an honor that is rarely accorded to other than English subjects.
Dr. J. W. Charles, physician and surgeon, Armourdale, Kas. Dr. J. W. Charles is one of the most talented physicians in Kansas, and especially in the branch of surgery, has he obtained a reputation placing him in the front rank of the medical fraternity. He is a native of Illinois, born in Randolph County, on December 16, 1844, and is the son of William B. and Elvira (Cruther) Charles, natives of Virginia and Kentucky, respectively. In 1837 the parents emigrated to Illinois, coming by water, and located on the Mississippi River in what was known then as Liberty, but is now called Rockwood. The father was a captain on a steamboat the greater part of his life, but his last days were spent in retirement. He died at Litchfield, Ill., in December, 1864. The mother died in 1844. They had thirteen children, eight now living, of whom Dr. Charles is the youngest. He was principally reared in Montgomery County, Ill., where he received a common- school education, and at an early age began the study of medicine,
-
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graduating at the St. Louis Medical University in 1865. He was a hospital steward during the war. After graduating in medicine he went to Mason County, Ill., and after practicing here one year re- turned to St. Louis, where he remained five years. From there he went to Sedalia, Mo., back to Centralia, Ill. and purchased a drug store which he conducted for about one year. He then went to Mary- ville, Mo., thence to Brookfield, Mo., where he remained four years, from there to McPherson City, Kas., where he tarried until 1883, and then traveled south for some time. In 1884 he came to Armourdale, Kas., where he has since been in active practice. He is classed among the best physicians of the city and has an extensive practice. He was married in 1873, to Miss Mary H. DeWitt, a native of Wisconsin, and to them have been born three children: Elvira M., William W. and Mary H. The Doctor is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being a K. T., is an Odd Fellow and also a member of the encampment of Odd Fellows. He is medical examiner of the A. O. U. W., and was a mem- ber of the Missouri State Medical Society and also District Society of Southwest Kansas. He is a member of the Armourdale Medical So- ciety, and has held nearly all the offices in his secret societies. He is progressive in his views, and is always ready to advance the interest of his city.
William B. Cleveland. The history of a country, State or county must depend in a great measure upon the lives of "great men" for the interest with which it inspires the general reader. Because of this fact, a history of Wyandotte County, Kas., would be in no measure complete without a sketch of the life of he whose name appears above. Mr. Cleveland is a native of Indiana, his birth occurring April 1, 1829. He was the seventh of a family of eleven children born to his parents, and even in early childhood evinced unusual ability and judgment. The father of the subject of this sketch was a native of the Blue-Grass State, and through life was a cooper and farmer. The mother was born in the State of West Virginia, and at all times manifested a great interest in the future welfare of her children. Both parents are now dead. Mr. Cleveland received his education in the common schools, but like many bright boys managed to acquire quite an amount of knowledge there. At the early age of eighteen the subject of this sketch ventured out to face the world alone, turning his attention to farming, and also to coopering, though he loved the business of farm- ing more than any other. He commenced his business career with- out a dollar in his pocket, having only a pair of willing hands and an
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industrious nature to assist in the struggle for fortune and fame. Mr. Cleveland married Miss Sarah Glass Cook, of Tennessee, a lady of excellent talent, and highly educated. Their marriage took place in Missouri in the year 1856, and to them have been born nine children, but of these only one is living at the present writing, viz., Noah, who resides in Missouri, and who married Miss Mary Dudley. His voca- tion is farming. During the war Mr. Cleveland enlisted in Company A, Second Missouri Cavalry, under Col. A. J. Nugent. This was in 1862, and he figured in the following battles: Harrisonville, which was a very hard battle; Lone Jack, where his regiment lost fifty-eight by death and had 250 wounded. Besides these Mr. Cleveland took part in many desperate skirmishes, and he experienced all the hardships and deprivations incident to a soldier's life. In his faithful service to "Uncle Sam" the subject of this sketch lost his right forefinger. In fact, to sum up the matter briefly, Mr. Cleveland was one of the brave boys who wore the blue blouse, and really deserves a pension, having been honorably discharged by special order No. 70, after which he re- turned home. He has at all times and under all circumstances sup- ported the Republican party, having cast his first vote for James K. Polk, of Tennessee, and besides, he has always voted for men of honor and high principles. Mr. Cleveland is a firm believer in the Farmers' Alliance, and thinks that if they work together much good may be accomplished for the farmers generally. He and Mrs. Cleveland are members of the Christian Church, and both delight to assist in worthy causes and promote the strength of religious matters. The subject of this sketch has traveled quite extensively. He moved from Indiana to Independence, Mo., in the year 1849, and from that point to Harri- sonville, Mo., where as a carpenter he met with great success in com- pany with his partner, Sanford Morris. In the spring of 1850 he journeyed over the Pacific slope to California, where he sought to amass a fortune in gold digging. This journey lasted three months, and caused them many hardships. After remaining in California one year and meeting with marked success, Mr. Cleveland sailed from San Francisco on August 1, 1857, for San Juan, Central America, which point he reached after a period of forty-eight days. He remained in Central America about two years, and while there engaged in numer- ous occupations, among which numbered those of waiter, salesman, and finally worked on the Vanderbilt line of steamers. At a later date he lived in New Orleans, then in Harrisonville, Mo., in 1855 he went to Salt Lake City, and in 1869 landed in Wyandotte County, Kas.,
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while the country was still a wilderness and the "red man" roamed at will. Land then was worth only $2.50 per acre, and at the present writing the same land sells for from $125 to $300 per acre, figures which give an idea of the immense growth of this place and the won- derful development of the soil. Since settling here Mr. Cleveland has constantly devoted his attention to farming, and so pleased is he with the success that crowned all his efforts that he fully intends to remain here for the rest of his life. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland are popular in this county, and live happily, surrounded by a host of dear friends and admiring neighbors, who esteem them for their ster- ling worth and strict integrity of purpose and deed.
Hon. G. L. Coates, real estate and insurance agent, Armourdale, Kas. In all business communities the matter of insurance holds a prominent place. It is a means of stability to all commercial trans- actions, and a mainstay against disaster, should devastation by fire sweep property or merchandise away. Among those engaged in the insurance and real estate business in Armourdale is Hon. G. L. Coates, a man universally esteemed and respected. He was born in Mount Airy, Ohio, Hamilton County, April 22, 1857, and is a son of James P. and Eliza (Williams) Coates, both natives of the Buckeye State. The father has followed agricultural pursuits all his life, and now re- rides in Cincinnati, Ohio. The paternal grandfather, Thomas Coates, was a native of England, and died in Ohio. Hon. G. L. Coates was one of nine children, eight of whom are living, born to his parents. They are named as follows: Sherwood, Edna R., Laura, Wilbur (who is president of the Board of Equalization of Cincinnati, Ohio), Clifford (deceased, was in the mail service at the time of his death), Stanley (a railroad man), Stella and Orrel. G. L. Coates attained his growth in Hamilton County, Ohio, and there remained until sixteen years of age, receiving his education principally in that county. He was taught the duties of the farm when young, and followed agricultural pursuits until twenty-one years of age. In 1873 he came to Dickinson County, Kas., and ran the largest wheat ranch in Kansas until 1879, having as much as 7,000 acres of wheat in at one time. In the latter part of 1879 he went to Louisiana, and ran a large cotton plantation for one year. From there he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, embarked in the prod- uce and provision business for a little over a year, and was then in the United States mail service until 1886, a period of nearly four years, after which he engaged in the wholesale oil business, at 99 Court Street, Cincinnati, Ohio. At the same time he was execution deputy
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