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 74
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Charles Morasch, a prominent old citizen of Quindaro Township, and another of the many enterprising men of foreign birth now resid- ing in Wyandotte County, was originally from Germany, born in a portion that now is a part of Russia, in 1822. He received a good education in Germany, learned the stone-mason's trade, and worked at this until 1846, when he came to America, locating first in New York City, but his first work was done in Buffalo. He first received $10 a month with board but soon tired of this, and went to Sandusky, where he obtained no employment, and he then went to Lower Sandusky. From there he went to Toledo, then on the canal to Cincin- nati, and only had enough money to pay for a week's board in Cincin- nati. After this he experienced some pretty hard times, until he met some friends who assisted him. He afterward went to Madison, Ind., and secured work on the strength of being a finished workman, having served three full years as an apprentice. He would not work under wages, and as a result was obliged to go to Brownstown, Ind., where he received $4 per month for six months. He then went to a fellow- countryman, and got $1 per day for putting up hay, after which he got work at his trade. As soon as his skill manifested itself, he re- ceived from $2.50 to $3 per day, and remained in the vicinity for nine years. He was married to Miss Sarah Winkler, a native of Virginia, born in 1833, and eight living children are the fruits of this union: Charles, Jennie, William, Louise, Fred N. (a merchant of Wyandotte), Otto, Frank and Teenie C. After his marriage Mr. Morasch bought a
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farm and worked at his trade in Jackson County, Ind., until 1855. He then emigrated to Wabaunsee County, Kas., Mill Creek, where he expected to be in a German settlement, but seeing the necessity of a mixed population he came to Quindaro, Wyandotte County, in 1857. He worked at his trade here until 1859, speculated in Quindaro and else- where, and lost about $3,000 on property and grocery business, and at the same time carried on his trade. He resided in Quindaro, from 1857 until the fall of 1860, when he purchased his present farm con- sisting of seven hundred acres. He improved the same, built a good house, and prospered very finely until 1877, when his house burned down. Not discouraged, he went to work and erected a fine brick house, in which he now resides, aud which is an ornament to his place. There are eleven rooms in the house, all heated by a good furnace, and he also has a good cellar. He has earned the right to be comfortable in his declining years, and can now pass his days in ease, and even in luxury. In politics Mr. Morasch is a Democrat. He was a member of the State militia one month, and during Gen. Price's raid through Missouri, had two horses and a cow stolen. Mr. Morasch is one of the substantial men of the county, is the owner of property in Wyandotte, Argentine, Armstrong and in the Missouri River bottom. He was the son of J. J. and Mary (Mieller) Morasch, both of whom died in Germany. The father was game-keeper for the Duke of Nassau, and our subject has a spoon that belonged to his grand- father, on the handle of which is the date "1768." Mr. and Mrs. Morasch visited Germany in 1883 and 1887, and very much enjoyed their trip, to their old country. Mr. and Mrs. Morasch lost two chil- dren, both about eight years of age, and both bright children. They were named Mary and George.
Joseph Moreland, one of the prominent dairymen of this city, has been engaged in this business for the past twelve years in this and Jackson County, Mo., and has been nnusually successful in this occu- pation. He owes his nativity to Butler County, Ohio, where his birth occurred on February 19, 1847, and is the fourth in a family of eleven children, born to Thomas and Sarah A. (Horl) Moreland, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. The father passed his youthful days in the Keystone State, and there followed the occupation of farming until his removal to Ohio, where he was married. He re- mained in the last named State but a short time, and then took a trip to Indiana, Western Iowa, Western Missouri, Johnson County, Kas., and Jackson Connty, Kas., where he located. The mother died in
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Northern Missouri in 1867, and the father in Kansas in 1887. Joseph Moreland began the dairy business, and met with such good success, and enlarged his stock to such an extent, that in 1881 he moved on a farm, remaining there but one year. He then returned to the dairy business, which he has since followed. In 1881 he lost fourteen of his best milch cows, but not discouraged he still continued to carry on the business. He moved over the State line in 1884, and in this State he has resided ever since. He purchased a good patch of land south- west of Argentine, and has built a nice cottage, good barn and has a fine stone spring house in which he cares for his milk. He has twen- ty-eight good milch cows, consisting of Holstein, Short-horn and Jer- sey stock, all acknowledged to be the best in this section of the State. He handles about sixty-five or eighty gallons of milk per day, and has routes in Armourdale and Argentine. Mr. Moreland was married in 1875 to Miss Mary E. Bruce, daughter of Andrew and Ellen R. (Ful- ler) Bruce, natives of Vermont and New York, respectively. Mrs. Moreland was born in Dodge City, Wis., on November 28, 1857, and by her marriage became the mother of three children: Florence B., Ella E. and Lotta M. Mr. Moreland is a Republican in politics, but does not aspire for office. He is an enterprising man, and extends a helping hand to all worthy movements.
Thomas H. Morgan, whose sketch now claims attention, is chief engineer of the No. 1 engine room at the Armour Packing House, a position that he has held since February, 1887, having worked his way up with that firm since 1882. By trade Mr. Morgan is a vice hand, learning that trade with the Arctic Engine Company, of Cleve- land, Ohio. He is by birth and education an Englishman, his birth occurring in Middlesex, about nine miles from London, on December 20, 1860. His parents, William and Emma Morgan, were natives of England, and the father was a machinist in that country. Thus at an early age the subject of this sketch was familiar with machine shops, and naturally cultivated the taste which he inherited for such work. He passed his childhood and youth in his native land, learning habits of industry and perseverance that have been of inestimable service to him in his business career. He is a thoroughly enterprising man, seeking always to advance both his own interests and those of the community in which he makes his home, and giving especial attention to religious and educational causes of a worthy nature. In 1881 Mr. Morgan married Miss Lilly Smith, and to this union have been born three children, viz. : Harry, Violet and Cecil. Mrs. Morgan's birth occurred in Eng-
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land, but she has resided in Jackson County, since 1870. Though Kansas City is noted for enterprising business men, who by their ability and energy have raised this place in a few short years from comparative obscurity to great prominence, none merit more praise than does Mr. Morgan. Without financial assistance he has, single-handed, fought the battle for position, and now stands victorious among the busy crowd of bread-winners that wait on every side to gather up what they may of fame and fortune.
Northrop Moore is the present superintendent of the gas works of Kansas City, Kas., and came to this place from Fairfield, Iowa, where he held a like position. He was born in Pomeroy, Ohio, in 1858, and in the county of his birth he grew to manhood and was educated, and besides attending the common schools was for some time a student in Wabash College, of Crawfordsville, Ind. After starting out in life for himself he became connected with the gas works of Nebraska City, Neb., and in 1884 held the position of superintendent of the Fair- field (Iowa) Gas Works for one year, after which he came to Kansas City, Kas., and was given his present position. signing the contract to serve five years, and here expects to make his home for some time, at least. He has given much attention to the gas business, thor- oughly understands every detail of the work, and is filling his present position in a very acceptable manner, the gas plant being at the cor- ner of Everett and Second Streets. Mr. Moore is a young gentleman of much energy and enterprise, and although he has only been a res- ident of the city a short time he has numerous and warm friends who wish him well in every undertaking. His parents are S. A. M. and Lydia L. Moore.
D. W. Mount, now a resident of Kansas City, Kas., is a native Virginian, his birth occurring in that State on November 4, 1847, his parents, William and Sarah J. (Wilson) Mount, having been born in Washington, Penn., in 1824, and in Virginia in 1823, respectively. The father was a cabinet-maker by trade, and after following this call- ing in Virginia until 1852 he removed to Fairfield, Iowa, and after- ward located in Libertyville where he opened a mercantile establish- ment. He was a Whig in politics, a member of the Methodist Church, and died in Iowa September 27, 1854. After his death his widow mar- ried Brooken Jeffers, and in addition to the five children which she bore Mr. Mount, she bore her second husband four children, four of the former and three of the latter being now alive. The mother is still living and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. D.
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W. Mount spent his early life in Iowa, and in 1867 came to Wyan- dotte, Kas., and entered a mercantile establishment, the first thirteen years being in the employ of one firm in Wyandotte, now Kansas City, Kas. He then purchased and operated a fruit farm, but when the city began to boom he sold out to the London Heights Land Company, and has since given his attention to dealing in real estate and to mer- chandising, in both of which he has been very successful. On De- cember 9, 1863, he joined the Uniou army, becoming a member of Company I, Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged on July 20, 1865, participating during his service in the battles around Kenesaw Mountain, where he was captured July 22, 1864, after having been under fire for forty-five days, was taken to Andersonville and then to Florence Prisons. He was paroled December 14, 1864, and on the morning of the 16th was delivered to the United State's fleet off Fort Sumter, S. C. He was married on October 18, 1871, to Miss Lena Wiltz, a native of St. Louis, Mo., and two children, Etta M. and James R., have been born to them. Mr. Mount is a Republican in State affairs, and in local affairs is non-partisan.
J. W. Mount, of the Transfer firm of Mount Bros., of Kansas City, Kas., is a native of Iowa, his birth having occurred near Fairfield in 1853. His father's death occurred when he was one year old, and he afterward came to Kansas with his mother and step-father, and located at Armourdale, this being about 1858. They once owned the land on which the town now stands, and here J. W. Mount was reared to a farm life, but was given no educational advantages, all the schooling he re- ceived being between the age of twenty and twenty-one. By self-ap- plication he so fitted himself as to be perfectly capable of transacting his own business, and clerking in a store for some time, assisted in bringing about this desirable state of affairs. He then came to Kan- sas City, Kas., and opened a grocery store, and after meeting with fair success in this business for four years, he sold out his stock of goods, and is now renting his store, which is located on Sixth Street. He owns a good two story business building, 50x60 feet front, No. 406 North Sixth Street, and since selling out has been interested in the transfer business, with the exception of a short time when he and his partner sold out. They now do all the transfer business of Kan- sas City, that is of any magnitude, and although they have had com- petition from time to time, their business has not been injured in the least. They keep five teams going all the time, and run two moving cars, one truck wagon, and have vehicles of all kinds that could be
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called for. Mr. Mount was married in 1876, his wife being Miss Mollie Smith, a native of Ohio, born in 1855, and to them one child has been born, Willie, who is now seven years of age. Mr. Mount has always been earnest and sincere in his endeavors to succeed in life, and that he is attaining his desires is beyond dispute, for, notwith- standing the fact that he started upon an independent career with no capital, he is now quite well to do. [For history of Mr. Mount's parents see sketch of D. W. Mount].
A. N. Moyer is a Canadian by birth, and was born in what is now Ontario on August 10. 1837, being a son of Abraham B. and Mary (Nash) Mover, the former a native of Lincoln County, Ontario, and the latter of Bucks County, Penn. His early life was spent in his native country on a farm, and after acquiring a sufficient amount of educa- tion he began teaching school in 1857, and followed that pursuit for eighteen years. After his removal to the United States in 1859 he located in Kendall County, Ill., and here he taught two winter terms of school, and during his vacations was a student in Clark Seminary, of Aurora. During the winter of 1861-62 he taught a school in Tazewell County, near Pekin, but during the summer of the last-named year and the following fall and winter he had charge of the schools at Port Elgin, Ontario. The three following years he had charge of the public school at South Cayuga, Ontario, and then followed the same oc- cupation in Campden, Lincoln County, during the next three years. In the summer of 1868 he came West to Kansas City, Mo., and in the fol- lowing fall was elected assistant superintendent of the public schools at Independence, Mo., the duties of which he discharged for two years. While there he was married, in 1871, to Miss Nannie Entrekin, for- merly of Kingston, Ohio. During the school year of 1871 and 1872 he held a professorship in Lincoln College at Greenwood, Mo., but in the last-named year he located in Wyandotte County, Kas., and for three years was first assistant in the Central School, and was instructor in German. This closes his career as a teacher. In 1874 he engaged in the real estate business, and in October, 1879, in connection with R. B. Armstrong, purchased the Wyandotte Gazette, and continued to be one of its publishers and proprietors until 1887, when he sold his in- terest and assisted in the organization of the Wyandotte National Bank and is now its vice-president. He also assisted in the organization of the Wyandotte Loan & Trust Company, which erected the large and handsome brick business block in which the bank is located. He is also treasurer of the Kansas City Savings Bank, organized in August,
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1890. He is a Republican in his political views, and he and wife are consistent members of the Presbyterian Church. He is vice- president of the Central Water Works Construction Company of Kansas City, and since taking up his abode in the county he has done much to build up and improve the same, and his efforts have been fully appreciated by his numerous friends and acquaintances.
Martin Myers is a native of York State, his birth occurring in Port Jervis, Orange County, on Feburary 20, 1860, and like the majority of native New Yorkers, he is industrious, enterprising, and decidedly progressive in his views, a fit citizen for booming Kansas City, Kas. His parents, John and Anna Myers, were born, reared and married in Germany, and on emigrating to America located in the State of New York, where they became the parents of nine children, only three of whom are living. The subject of this sketch was but four years of age when his mother died and only ten years old when his father passed from life, and thus left an orphan at an early age, he was com- pelled to make his own way in the world, and at the age of twelve years secured a situation upon the Delaware & Hudson Canal, remaining thus employed for seven consecutive summers, during the first five years of which he acted as driver. During the last two years he was in charge of a boat owned by another man, at the end of which time he went to Scranton, Penn., and until he was twenty-one years of age worked in a steel-mill, after which, in 1881, he came West as far as Chicago, and during his two years' residence in that city, drove a team the first year and the second was in the employ of the Armour Packing Company. In January, 1883, he came to Kansas City, Kas.,. which place has been his home ever since, and here he has become a well-to-do business man. During the first three years and two months of his residence here he was employed in the packing-house of George Fowler & Son, and in May, 1886, he took the money he had thus earned and purchased a stock of groceries, opening up a store at No. 129 North James Street, as the partner of Matthew Quinn. They did a successful business at that place for two years, at the end of which time Mr. Myers sold his interest to his partner. Fifteen days later, or on May 23, 1888, he purchased from F. O. Wheeler a half interest in a grocery store at No. 247 North James Street, the other half being owned by John L. Jones. The partnership thus formed has existed ever since, and the men who compose the firm are now classed among the leading grocers of the city. On October 8, 1888, they removed to the brick block on the corner of North Sixth Street and Orville Avenue,
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where they have an excellent and complete line of goods. Their store, which occupies Nos. 401 and 403 North Sixth Street, is 33x50 feet, and is stocked with as fine a lot of groceries as are to be found in this section of the country. Both gentlemen are stirring and enterprising young men, and this fact, in connection with their desire to please and their honorable mode of doing business, has enabled them to build up a large patronage. Mr. Myers was married May 3, 1888, to Miss Katie O'Brien, who was reared at Humboldt, this State, and both are consistent members of the Catholic Church.
James F. Nettleton, although a resident of Kansas City, Kas., was born near Ingersoll, Canada, March 1, 1848, being a son of Amos and Sidney (Hodges) Nettleton, they being also born in Canada, the former a son of Amos and Mary Nettleton, and the latter a daughter of Tim- othy Hodges, all being natives of Canada. The Nettleton family in the United States are descended from two brothers, who came to America from England. To Amos and Sidney Nettleton a family of eight children were born, the names of those living being as follows: Ziba M., Mary E., James F., Esther A. and Sarah J., all of whom re- side in California, with the exception of the subject of this sketch. Amos Nettleton died in Kansas City, Kas., July 5, 1883, to which place he had removed from Iowa about 1877, having previously re- moved from Canada to Ogle County, Ill., in 1853, from there to Lee County, Ill., thence to Butler County, Iowa, in 1864. He took up his abode in Hardin County, Iowa, four years later, and the following year removed to Johnson County, Mo., returning to Butler County, Iowa, in 1875, coming to Kansas two years later. He was a farmer by occupation, a member of the Methodist Church, and politically was a Republican. His wife is still living, her home now being in California, whither she removed in 1886 to be near her children. James F. Nettleton, the immediate subject of this biography, was but five years old when his parents removed from Canada to Illinois. His youthful days were spent in Ogle and Lee Counties, attending school in winter and working on the farm during the summer, but afterward went with his parents to Iowa. In the spring of 1865 he returned to Lee County, Ill., and served a three years' apprenticeship at the wagon and carriage maker's trade, but returned to his parents in 1868, and the following winter attended school in Hardin County. He at- tained his majority while on his way to Johnson County, Mo., with his parents, but the succeeding summer farmed with his father, but in the fall returned to Amboy, Lee County, Ill., and in that place and
47
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vicinity remained about five years engaged in wagon and carriage making, also the carpenter's trade and farming. In 1874 he again went to Butler County, Iowa, and after working five years at the car- penter's trade, he, in 1879, came to Kansas City, Kas., and after work- ing for about three months as a house carpenter he spent three and one half years as a car repairer for the Missouri Pacific Railway, and for three years following this acted as foreman of inspection and re- pairs for the Fort Scott & Gulf Railway. In September, 1886, he removed to Springfield Mo., and there for five months he acted as fore- man of the car shops for the same road. Upon his return to Kansas City, Kas., in the spring of 1887, he was employed a few months as car builder in the shops of the above road, but on November 17, 1887, he gave up this business to engage in the grocer's trade, his partner being William F. Peters, their establishment, an excellent one of the kind, being at No. 12 North James Street. They are well established in business, are doing well and have proven themselves strictly honor- able in all their business transactions. Mr. Nettleton was married May 8, 1871, to Miss Permelia J. Eddy, a native of New York State, and a daughter of George and Fannie (Hart) Eddy, by whom he has one child, Esther Mabel, born February 11, 1872. Mr. Nettleton is a member of the A. O. U. W., and in his political views is a Repub- lican, and has been a member of the school board for six years. His wife's parents removed to Lee County, Ill., from New York, when she was a small child, and in this county she grew to womanhood. Her birth occurred June 30, 1851.
Gus. J. Neubert, Grand Keeper of Records and Seal of the Grand Lodge of the K. of P. of Kansas, and a man broad and liberal in his views, and one who has the respect and confidence of all, was born in Saxony, Germany, January 1, 1834. He received his education there, and there continued to reside until seventeen years of age. He then emigrated to America, located in New York City first, but later came to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained for some time. After this he traveled over the United States, and in 1853 was married, in Canton, Ohio, to Miss Mary Vogel, a native of that city, who bore him one child, a son, named Gus. T., who is now foreman of the erecting shops of the Union Pacific Railroad Company, at Ellis, Kas. Mr. Neubert was the publisher and editor of several papers, and con- nected with others, in Ohio as well as other States, until he came to Wyandotte, now Kansas City, Kas., where he embarked in the drug. business, his "first love," as he says. He was educated as a chemist,
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and carried this business on in Wyandotte for sixteen years. He be- came connected with the Order of K. P. February 5, 1874, and after filling positions in his own lodge, he was elected G. K. of R. & S. in March, 1876, which position he still holds without opposition. He abandoned the drug business in 1882, and has made his home in Kansas City, Kas., ever since, and is now giving his whole attention to the Order of K. of P. He has held several positions in the local lodge of A. F. & A. M .; served as worshipful master for two years in succession; is a member of the Council of Royal and Select Mas- ters, and of the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. He is also a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F., and has passed the chairs of both lodge and encampment of that order. In politics Mr. Neubert was an Abolition- ist, and afterward followed the Republican party.
Patrick J. Nichols is the general superintendent of the packing- house of Kingan & Co., limited, and although he was born in Belfast, Ireland, December 6, 1848, he has been a subject of Uncle Sam for the past nineteen years. His parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Scully) Nichols, were also born on the Emerald Isle, the former's birth occur- ring October 30, 1817, he being now a resident of Belfast, in which city his wife died in 1883, at about the age of forty-five years. Patrick J. is the eldest of a family of fourteen children born to them, of whom twelve are now living, and his early education was acquired in the city of Belfast. For twelve years after leaving school he was in the pro- vision business in the city of his birth, in the employ of Kingan & Co., and for eleven years after coming to the United States he was in the employ of the same Company, in Indianapolis, Ind., and since 1882 has been in Kansas City, Kas., for three years being with Jacob Dold, and the remainder of the time with Kingan & Co. He has been with this company longer than any other of their employes, a fact which speaks louder than words can do as to his faithfulness and competency. He was married in his native land, in 1870, his wife being Miss Kate McShane, who was born in Belfast, Ireland, November 11, 1854, and to them eight children have been born: Mary E., Samuel A., Kate, Patrick J., Jr., Henry, James, Lena Anastasia and Anna. Mr. Nich- ols in religion is a Catholic, socially being a member of the C. K. of A.
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