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 66
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August F. Jasper, coal and feed merchant, Argentine, Kas. Mr Jasper is one of the oldest settlers of this county, having made his first appearance here in 1863, and is a prominent and popular bus-
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iness man. He was born in Leipsic, Germany, April 18, 1855, and is the fifth in a family of nine children born to Herman and Minnie Jas- per, natives also of Germany. The parents came to the United States in 1859, located first in Osage County, Mo. (1860), and later moved to this county, where the father was engaged in farming and teaming. When they first located here the land was a wilderness and heavily timbered, and the father and his sons did a great deal to clear the land of the heavy timber. Their earliest neighbors were Indians, living with them in perfect peace, and West Kansas City was all under brush and heavy timber. Our subject has seen the first laying of the dif- ferent railroad tracts through the city, and all the other large improve- ments. Up to the last few years he has devoted his attention to potato growing and fruit raising, but in the fall of 1888 he started his coal and feed store, in which he has been very successful. He started with a very limited capital, but meeting with success he is now able to sup- ply them in any quantity. Mr. Jasper is single, and has taken care of his mother since the death of the father, who died November 25, 1889, when in his seventy-ninth year. In politics Mr. Jasper is a Republican, and was road overseer of his township for four years and six months in succession. He is a member of the Argentine Associa- tion. In his religious views he is a German Lutheran.
Mrs. Sarah Johnson, of Kansas City, Kas., is a daughter of Joseph R. and Nancy (Parish) Farrar, who were born in Kentucky, but were married in Indiana, where the father followed the occupation of a farmer, and there reared his children, all of whose births occurred in that State. After the mother's death, which occurred in that State, the father came West, and abont 1855 settled in Leavenworth, where he resided until his death, which occurred when he was about fifty- eight years of age. His father, William Farrar, was a native of Culpep- er County, Va., but spent the greater portion of his life, and died, in Kentucky. He was the father of seven children, of whom Joseph R. was the eldest. His youngest son, Andrew Jackson Farrar, still sur- vives, and resides with Mrs. Johnson. The Farrars are of Scotch- Irish descent and Mrs. Johnson, who was born in 1831, like her broth- ers and sisters, was reared to maturity in Indiana, and was married there and had become the mother of three children before her removal West. She and her husband settled in Leavenworth, Kas., in 1862, and there made their home for about six years, when they came to Kansas City, Kas., where Mr. Johnson purchased a large farm at $11 per acre, selling it afterward for $60,000. They then moved to Wy-
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andotte, and here Mr. Johnson's death occurred, April 1, 1888, at the age of seventy-two years. He was twice married, and by his first wife became the father of nine children, his last wife bearing him the following family: Thomas, Jennie (wife of Scott Odor), Ellen (wife of Chris Austed), Belle (wife of William Smith), Ulysses, Ben- jamin, Willie, and four deceased. Mr. Johnson was a Henry Clay Whig, afterward becoming a Republican, and for many years served as one of the county commissioners, being a popular official and use- ful citizen. He was, as is his widow, a member of the Christian Church, and is now sleeping his last sleep in Oak Grove Cemetery.
Charles B. Johnson, real estate dealer, Kansas City, Kas On April 30, 1840, in Tompkins County, N. Y., there was born to the union of Henry L. and Ocee Ann (Brown) Johnson, a son, whom we now take as the subject of this sketch. Charles B. was educated in the common schools, and when quite young began learning the har- ness-maker's trade. He was reared on a farm in Ohio, whither his father had moved in 1846, and followed his trade in West Bedford for some time. Later he went to New Castle, the same county, and car- ried on his trade there until June, 1861. He then volunteered in the United States Army, Company K, Twenty-fourth Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, under Capt. Givens, and entered the service on June 1, 1861. He went into camp at Camp Burt, Coshocton County, Ohio, and after remaining there a month went to Camp Chase, Ohio. Thence, in July of the same year, he went to Bellaire, Ohio, from there to Pittsburgh, Penn., and later was ordered to Washington, but the order was coun- termanded. He was then sent back to Clarksburg, W. Va., but was there taken sick with chronic diarrhea. He was taken to the hospital, but the treatment being ineffectual, he, with some companions, escaped from the hospital, and followed their company through the mountains, camping in the very lines of the Confederates. After joining his com- mand at Cheat Mountain Summit, W. Va., Mr. Johnson assisted in erecting a fort and barracks, made of logs, with port holes. In Sep- tember, 1861, they were surrounded by the enemy, for seven days had some fighting, and were then relieved by other troops. They re- mained there for some time, and then went to Greenbrier, where they were defeated, but afterward retreated to their old fort at Cheat Mount- ain Summit, W. Va. A month later they were ordered to Clarks- burg, W. Va., thence to Lonisville, Ky., under Gen. Wilson, and from there into winter quarters at Camp Wycliffe, in Kentucky. In Feb- ruary of 1862 they were ordered to Bowling Green, Ky., to go into
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the fight, marched on the enemy, fired on them, and caused them to retreat. After this the command was ordered to West Point, Ky., and from there they went by boats down the Ohio River to Paducah, under Gen. Nelson. From there they went up the Cumberland River to Fort Donelson, expecting to assist in the fight, but did not reach there until the morning of the surrender. From there they went to Nash- ville, Tenn., were there at the surrender, and at that place Mr. John- son was again taken ill, being in the hospital at Nashville for some time. After recovering he was detailed as clerk, and served in that capacity for nine months and twenty seven days. He was then dis- charged on a surgeon's certificate of disability-for heart and lung trouble. Returning home to Ohio, he remained in Coshocton County for some time, and then went to Mount Vernon, Knox County, of the same State. There he worked at his trade with George Hawk for nine months, after which, in 1864, he moved back to Bladensburg. From there he went to Roscoe, carried on a shop there for two years, and in the fall of 1867 moved to New Castle, Coshocton County, Ohio, where he made his home until 1886. In 1874 he patented the Diamond Trace Buckler, for which he received $1,000, and while a resident of that city he held the office of justice of the peace, resigning that position after serving a few months on his fourth term. He was also proprie- tor of the Union Hotel, New Castle, for five years, and made considera- ble money at this. Mr. Johnson has been twice married, his first union being with Miss Martha Baltzall, a native of Bladensburg, Ohio, on March 7, 1863. She was the danghter of Joseph and Lydia Balt- zall, and died on July 12, 1865. The fruits of this union were two children, both of whom died in infancy. Mr. Johnson's second mar- riage was on July 7. 1867, to Miss Charity E. Fulkerson, a native of Coshocton County, Ohio, and to them were born four children -- two now living: George W. and Robert M. Blanche died at the age of thirteen years, and another (Mabel) died at the age of eighteen months. The eldest son is now in the laundry business with his uncle, M. J. Fulkerson. Mr. Johnson sold his property in Ohio in 1886, moved to Kansas City, Mo., and there remained for nearly two years. He then crossed the line to Kansas City, Kas., and engaged in merchandising, which he carried on for a year. He began dealing in real estate shortly after coming here, and has owned three farms, besides considerable real estate in both Kansas City, Mo., and Kansas City, Kas. He also owns property in Guthrie, Ind. T. He has been quite fortunate since locating here, and is a prominent business man. He gets $24 per month
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pension, is a member of the G. A. R., and although formerly a Re- publican, is now a Democrat, and believes in tariff reform. In 1874 he invented the Brace Collar, patented it, and made over $5,000 out of it. He is quite an inventive genins. The parents of Mr. Johnson were natives of New York, were married there, and in 1846 moved to Ohio, where the father carried on farming and basket-making. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and in his political views was a Republican. Grandfather Johnson was a native of Ireland, and was a Revolutionary soldier on the side of the colonists.
James R. Johnson was born in Oldham County, Ky., on July 10, 1843, and is a son of James T. and Matilda A. (Twistler) Johnson, the former born in Kentucky, February 21, 1816, and the latter in Penn- sylvania. The father was reared in his native State and Indiana and about 1857 came to Kansas, and besides farming, followed various oc- cupations near Leavenworth for two years, when he came to Kansas City, purchasing some land near Armourdale, which he afterward sold for $800 per acre. He soon after moved to Kansas City, and here passed from life on April 1, 1888. A more complete history of his life may be found in the sketch of Mrs. Sarah E. Johnson. James R. Johnson grew to manhood in Kansas, and there received State of Indi- ana common-school advantages, remaining with his father until he en- tered the army, which was on September 9, 1861, and received his discharge on October 7, 1865, during which time he served in Com- pany F, Seventh Kansas Cavalry, Army of the Cumberland, and took part in the battles of Corinth, Tupelo, Kossuth, Baldwin, Hamburg Landing, and a number of minor engagements. He followed Price on his raid, also Van Dorn. After the war Mr. Johnson followed various pursuits, and at one time filled the position of deputy marshal, and for six or seven years was a policeman at Kansas City, and had charge of the night force at that time, and is also serving as bailiff of the court house. He was wounded by a gun-shot at Kossuth, Miss., on August 27, 1862, and also received a sunstroke about July 1, 1864, and since 1871 has received a pension of $8 per month for these inju- ries. He is now a member of the G. A. R., the U. V. U., and in his political views is a stanch Republican. He has just returned from Boston, and besides this place, during his trip East, he visited New York, Baltimore, also Washington Cincinnati and St. Louis. He was married in Wyandotte County to Miss Helen E. Dilley, by whom he has one child, Charley L. His wife's people were Virginians, but she was born in Ohio and inherits both French and German blood
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from her ancestors. Mr. Johnson is one of the well-to-do residents of this section and is an honorable and upright man in every worthy par- ticular.
Dr. Thomas H. Johnson (colored), a prominent physician as well as a worthy citizen of Kansas City, Kas., was born in Albemarle County, Va., July 4, 1844, heing a son of Dr. Robert and Eliza Johnson, who were also natives of that State. He spent his early life in his native State, receiving the advantages of the common schools, and in 1866 went to Washington, D. C., where he remained abont two or three years, giving his attention to the shoemaker's trade, which he had learned in his boyhood. His next place of residence was Syracuse, N. Y., but a year later went to Springfield, Mass., and at the end of six months to Boston, Mass., his attention during all this time being devoted to his trade. In 1871 he determined to take Horace Greeley's advice and "go west," and his first location was made at Junction City, Kas. In early life he had resolved to fit himself for the practice of medicine, and during all the subsequent years, which he spent at his trade he still held to this resolution, and his leisure moments were devoted to the study of medical works. Being a first-class workman at his trade, he gradually accumulated means, but this calling being insufficient to satisfy the cravings of his nature he determined to aban- don it, not however, until he had resided in the following places: Abi- lene, Lawrence, and lastly in Kansas City in 1877. The following year he returned to Lawrence and labored as actively in the practice of his profession as he had previously done at shoemaking, and won quite a reputation for himself as an able practitioner. In the fall of 1878 he removed to Leavenworth, Kas., but from that place, in the fall of the following year, he returned to Kansas City, which place has since been his home. He took his first course of medical lectures in the Medical Department of the Nebraska State University at Lincoln, during the fall of 1873, and in the spring of 1874, but during the years of 1886-87 and 1887-88 he attended the California Medical Col- lege, formerly of Oakland, but now of San Francisco, and was graduated from this institution as an M. D. in the spring of 1887. He made a specialty of the treatment of chronic diseases, and he has built up a reputation for himself which extends beyond the limits of the State. He has, in the past, traveled quite extensivly while practicing his pro- fession, and he now has patients in some of the remotest parts of the United States. Dr. Johnson possesses a fine intellect, and as he has devoted many years of his life to his calling, he is known to be an
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able practitioner, and is now in possession of a large and lucrative practice. He is the owner of valuable property at No. 318 Minnesota Avenue, which he bought and improved in 1883. He is a man of pleasing and agreeable manners, and he and his estimable wife have a large circle of friends and acquaintances. He is a devoted member of the Republican party, and socially is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity. He belongs to the Kansas State Medical Society, the Cali- fornia State Medical Society, and he and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was married October 27, 1871, to Miss Georgia A. Payne, a native of Virginia.
Henry F. Johnson (colored), is a prominent ex-grocer of Kansas City, Kas., and the property of which he is now the owner has been acquired by ceaseless industry, united with a strong and determined effort to succeed in life, and the result of his labors have far exceeded his expectations, although fully deserved. He is a native of New Orleans, La., his birth occurring there on July 19, 1848. In August, 1863, he enlisted in the war, becoming a member of the Seventeenth Louisiana Infantry, but the following February, was honorably dis- charged on account of physical disability, and immediately following the war began working at the carpenter's trade in his native State, a calling he continued to pursue there until 1879. In that year he removed to Kansas City, Mo., where he remained two years, removing in 1881 to Kansas City, Kas., where he engaged in the grocery busi- ness, meeting with the best of success. He did an extensive and pay- ing business until February, 1890, when he retired from active life. He has by economy and judicious management accumulated consider- able property and his attention is now chiefly given to its successful management. He is the owner of an express line consisting of four teams, and this enterprise nets him quite a nice little sum annually. In his political views he is independent, and has served one term as a member of the city council. Socially, he belongs to the A. F. & A. M. and the I. O. O. F., and as a man and citizen he commands the respect and esteem of all, for he has always proved himself honor- able in every particular, an enterprising, an industrious, and a law-abid- ing citizen. Miss Mary A. Lewis, a native Louisianian, became his wife in September, 1876, and their lives since that time have been happy and contented.
Solomon J. Jones, foreman of the car department of the Fort Scott and Gulf shops, was born in Penmark, South Wales, May 17, 1837, being the son of David Jones, The father was a Welshman,
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and a sawyer by profession. He married Mrs. Yorath, and to this union was born the subject of this sketch. The mother by her first marriage had eleven children. While Solomon was in his eleventh year, his father died, being a good Christian man, and a member of the Baptist Church. Thus the responsibility of his early training fell upon the mother, who exhibited great force of character and performed her duty nobly. At an early age Solomon commenced to work, first finding employment that paid very little, but taught him habits of in- dustry and perseverance, and so fitted him for the battle of life in after years. He first oiled machinery, next learning the wagon-making trade, and after the family moved to Aberdare, worked in a carpenter shop. Borrowing money, Solomon went to London, England, landing in that great city with only $5 in his pocket, but in a short time se- cured work in the suburbs. He then moved to Stratham, where he remained nine years, and about this time he found his trade exceed- ingly useful, and soon raised himself to the position of foreman. Seeing the advertisements from Kansas City, and being well pleased by the prospects held out, he came to the United States, landing in Kansas City, May 10, 1870. His first employment was work on the Lindel Hotel, and sent to London for his family. He next commenced to work for the Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad, and in 1886 he was given his present position in the shops. Mr. Jones married Miss Amy Stand- ing, of London, March 16, 1862, and to this union have been born three daughters and a son, viz .: David (who is running a switch en- gine in the yards at Kansas City), Ann Eliza (the wife of C. H. Gates, grocer at Kansas City), Emma (wife of Charles Spencer, blacksmith), and Margaret (who resides with her parents). Mr. Jones is an un- compromising Prohibitionist, but in local matters votes for the man he thinks most capable of filling the desired office. He owns a comfort- able home in this city, and is held in high esteem by his many friends. He was elected to the council in 1887, and again in 1890, and has been a member of the school board for the past three years, and at the present time is treasurer of this body. He belongs to the Masons, Odd Fellows, Foresters, K. of P., A. O. U. W., and the Degree of Honor of the K. of U. W., and Knights of Pythias Grand Lodge of Kansas.
Charles J. Jones, who is at the present time one of the leading con- tractors and builders of Kansas City, Kas., was born at South Brooks, Waldo County, Me., December 19, 1844, being the son of Israel P. and Sarah E. (Honson) Jones. His parents were both natives of Maine
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and of Quaker descent. The Jones family has been in the United States since 1500, tracing their ancestry back to Thomas Jones, who was a Welshiman. Israel Jones was a ship builder and carpenter, and thus his son naturally inherited a taste for that trade. The subject of this sketch passed his childhood and early youth in his native State, and learned his trade in the city of Boston, working there and in other Eastern cities until he enlisted in the late war in 1864. He was in Company A, Massachusetts Cavalry, under Col. Lowell, doing guard duty at Harper's Ferry and other places in the Shenandoah Valley. He was mustered out of service in 1865, and remained in Massachusetts until 1868, at which time he moved West, settling first at Omaha, Neb., and afterward going through the States of Nebraska and Iowa, con- tracting, he finally locating in Sioux City, where he continued to live six years. In 1876 he came to Kansas City, and has contracted for and built many of the handsomest business houses and residences in this city, giving at all times entire satisfaction and gaining the confidence of all who know him. He has been for the past three years in the em- ploy of the Lovejoy Planing Mills. He has built among other well- known houses, two large residences for Gen. Bowman, the packing- houses of Dold & Son, and for the American Dressed Beef Company. He also superintended the building of the Beloit, Kas., High School. Mr. Jones was married on June 4, 1885, to Miss Mary Gunn, of Beloit, Kas., whose native place is Massachusetts. He is a member of the Republican party, and is a very public-spirited man, evincing great in- terest in all matters that relate to the advancement of this community. He belongs to the Summonduwott Lodge, I. O. O. F., and also of the Burnside Post, G. A. R.
Charles H. Jones, general superintendent of the Armourdale Foun- dry, is a gentleman of large experience, and one who is thoroughly skilled in his business. He is a native of the Keystone State, his birth occurring August 1, 1850, and was the second of six children born to his parents. The father was a native of England, born in 1821, and was a boot and shoe maker by trade. He is residing in Pennsylvania at the present time. The mother, who was a native of England, born in 1821, is also living in Pennsylvania. Mr. Jones started out to fight life's battles for himself at the age of twenty years, but previous to this, when fifteen years of age, learned the trade of molder in Tama- qua, Penn. He was foreman of the foundry in Danville, Penn., for a year and a half, and then went to Wesley, Ala., where he remained four years as foreman, and where they employed about sixty men.
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Subsequently he went to Moberly, Mo., was foreman of a foundry in the Wabash Railroad shops for three years, with a force of about seventy five men. He has held many important positions. and filled them all in a very satisfactory manner, being molder and foreman of some of the principal foundries in the different parts of the United States. He then engaged with another firm in Moberly Mo., remained with this for two years, and then went to St. Louis, Mo., where he engaged with the Malleable Iron Company. After remaining there a year as foreman he engaged with the St. Louis Car Wheel Com- pany, and continued with the same for nearly three years. Later he came to Kansas City, Mo., was with The Kansas City Car Wheel Company for two years and eight months, and then crossed the line to Kansas City, Kas., where he is at present the general superintendent of Armourdale Foundry. Mr. Jones obtained his education in the public schools, and was married to Miss Dora Sheldon, a native of Brooklyn, Iowa. They are the parents of four children -- three sons and a daughter: Rodney (eleven years of age, and is attending the public schools), Lulu (aged nine years), Earl (five years of age), and Kenneth (two and a half years old). Mr. Jones has affiliated with the Republican party, but is not a strict partisan, supporting men of principle rather than party. He is a skilled artisan in his profession, and as far as he knows at the present time, will make Kansas City, Mo., his home. He is thoroughly conversant with every detail of his business, and is well known in all the mechanical circles with which he has been associated. He is a valuable man, and has the entire good will of his subordinates.
Hon. David E. Jones, ex-mayor of Rosedale and manager of the Western Iron Company's interests, at the above-mentioned place, is another citizen of foreign birth in this county deserving of special prominence. He was born in Wales October 13, 1855, and is a son of John E. and Ann Jones, natives also of Wales. The parents emigrated to the United States in 1863, located at Cleveland, Ohio, remained there about a year, and then went to Chicago, where they remained until 1873. From there they went to Pittsburgh, Penn., remained there until 1875, when Mr. Jones brought his family to Rosedale, and he went to Topeka. He was foreman for the Kansas Rolling Mills for some time, but in recent years has been in Argentine. He is now sixty- four years of age, has been in the iron business all his life, and is a prac- tical iron man. He is highly educated and writes for Welsh papers under the nom de plume of Ab Ioan. The mother died in Rosedale, in
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1878, when fifty-four years of age. She was connected with the Bap- tist Church for many years. .. Mr. Jones belongs to the A. O. U. W., the K. of P., and in politics adheres to the Republican party. He is the father of six children, four now living: Ivor (located at Toledo, Ohio), Moroydd (wife of William McGeorge, mayor of Argentine and ex-mayor of Rosedale), and Urien (druggist, at Rosedale), David E. Jones received his education "in the ward schools of Chicago, and in the Western University of Pittsburgh, Penn. When eleven years of age he commenced work in Chicago, and continued this until 1873, when he went to Pittsburgh, and attended school. He then commenced keeping books for William Boyd & Son, and later accepted the posi- tion of chief clerk of the rolling-mills, in whose employ he has re- mained ever since. In 1881 he was appointed assistant superintend- ent of the works, and since closing the works Mr. Jones has had charge of the business here. In 1881 he was elected mayor of the city, and served five terms, was clerk of the school board one year and city treasurer one term. In 1881 he was united in marriage to Miss Leon- ora Mathias, daughter of David Mathias, and they have one son, Leo D. Socially Mr. Jones is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being junior warden of the lodge, is a K. P., a member of the Grand Lodge K. of P. of Kansas, the A. O. U. W., a member also of the Grand Lodge A. O. U. W., and is a member of the Foresters and Degree of Honor. In politics he is a Republican, was president of the Republican Club dur- ing the last campaign, and was chairman of the Central Committee. He has ever been prominent in politics.
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