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 77
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89
James Phillips, an old citizen, and a man eminently respected for his many good qualities, was elected to the office of councilman of the First Ward of the old city of Kansas, and served one term. In 1885 he was elected mayor of the same on the Republican ticket, with a majority of 752, in a vote of 1, 100, over his opponent. While filling this position the James Street viaduct was built, the elevated railway franchised, and that of the Missouri Pacific Railroad switch track on
767
WYANDOTTE COUNTY.
Ewing Street granted. After the consolidation in 1886 Mr. Phillips was elected at large twice, as a member of the city council, and served three years. He was chairman of the Ordinance and Franchise Com- mittees, serving the entire length of office, three years. He was also a member of the printing committee and other minor committees. During his first term he assisted in the construction of the new list of ordinances by which the city was governed. Among some of the im- portant franchises granted was the Metropolitan Street Car, Seventh Street Viaduct, electric road in South Side, a branch of the Metro- politan system and the Riverview branch of the elevated road, North- Western Railroad, also to the Chicago & Rock Island Railroad in South Side, the electric light system, the rebuilding of the fire depart- ment, purchasing hose reels, one for South Side and one for old Wyandotte City. Mr. Phillips was also prominent in securing a great many street improvements, chiefly in the North, West and South Sides, also some large sewer contracts let, in all footing up to $1,500,000. Mr. Phillips was born near Lexington, Ky., April 13, 1846, and is the eldest of eleven children born to Asa M. and Margaret (Pennington) Phillips, natives also of the Blue-Grass State. After growing up, the father engaged in merchandising and farming, and continued this until the breaking ont of the Rebellion, when he en- listed in the Thirty-second Kentucky Infantry, as captain. Among the battles engaged in were Richmond, Harrodsburg, Ky., and here he had a very narrow escape from death at the hands of the enemy. After the war he removed to Illinois, and engaged in tilling the soil, which he followed up to the present time. While growing up in his native county, James Phillips learned the trade of carpenter, which he has followed ever since he left Douglas County, Ill. He came to this city in 1879, and the following year became connected with the Fowler Packing Company, and is now superintendent of the wood and construction department. Mr. Phillips was married Sep. tember 13, 1868, to Miss Hannah J. Carr, a native of Ohio, born May 19, 1847, and the daughter of T. J. and May (Beaty) Carr. To this union three children were born: Jesse B., Lena and Floy. Mr. Phillips is a Republican in politics, and was elected to the above office on that ticket. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., the A. O. U. W., and himself and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He assists in all enterprises of a public nature that will bene- fit his city and county, and is charitable to the needy, a man who is honest and upright in all his dealings, and true to his friends.
768
HISTORY OF KANSAS.
James W. Phillips (deceased), late a prominent grocer and a worthy citizen of Kansas City, Kas., was born in England, September 7, 1843, being a son of George and Esther Phillips, with whom he came to the United States when he was seven years of age. Upon reaching this country the family settled at Geneva, N. Y., where the subject of this sketch was reared to manhood. About 1865 he removed to Illinois, and two years later graduated from the commercial college at Jackson- ville. On April 20, 1869, he was married to Miss Evelyn Van Schoick, a native of Dayton, Ohio, her birth occurring there on September 14, 1854, she being a daughter of Henry and Emma (Randall) Van Schoick, both natives of New Jersey. For about four years after his marriage Mr. Phillips resided in Bloomington, but in 1873 he removed to Wichi- ta and here made his home until 1885. During all this time he fol- lowed the calling of a traveling salesman, but in 1885 he came to Kan- sas City, Kas., and embarked in the grocery business, a calling he followed until his death, which occurred April 7, 1889. His widow has since managed the business alone, and this establishment has become one of the largest and best patronized of the kind in the city. It is well located at No. 444 Minnesota Avenue, and the annual busi- ness which is done amounts to about $30,000, a fact that speaks louder than words can do, as to her executive ability and fair dealing. She is a lady possessing many Christian virtues, and her kindness of heart, liberality and honesty, are proverbial throughout the county.
Gabriel Philiburt first came to this county in 1860, but after re- maining one year he pushed farther westward, and until 1866 was en- gaged in prospecting for gold in the Rocky Mountains, also doing gen- eral labor. He then returned to Wyandotte County, Kas., and settled on his present farm of forty-four acres, usually devoting from ten to twenty-five acres to potatoes, which will average about 150 bushels to the acre, two to five acres to sweet potatoes, raising the Yellow Jer- sey and Red Bermudas as most profitable, and from one to six acres in watermelons and cantaloupes. His potatoes and melons were planted together and did well. He also put in corn in the same way and thus raised two crops on the same piece of ground, in one season. His cabbage crop usually amounts to one acre, his varieties being Early York, Flat Dutch and Drum Head, having the best luck with the last mentioned. He also raises other vegetables in large quantities, and small fruits in abundance, but considers that twelve acres of land devoted to this industry are all that a man can successfully manage. He considers gardening at its infancy in this township and has great
769
WYANDOTTE COUNTY.
hopes for the future. He was born on January 11, 1842, in Jackson County, Mo., being a son of Gabriel Philiburt, and during his minority became thoroughly familiar with the duties of farm life, his father be- ing a successful tiller of the soil. He was given the advantages of the common schools, acquiring a good practical education, and until 1860 he remained at home, then came to Kansas, and in 1861 went to the Rocky Mountains, as above stated. He purchased his present farm at the rate of $36 per acre, but it is now valued at $1,000 per acre. On this is erected a large, substantial and comfortable dwelling-house, besides a good barn and other outbuildings. In 1870 he was married to Miss Elnora Paul, a daughter of George Paul, a native of England, but who was reared in this country, living at the time of his marriage in this country. She was a kind and loving wife and mother, and her death, which occurred June 20, 1889, was deeply mourned by not on- ly her immediate and sorrowing household, but by all who knew her. The children she bore Mr. Philiburt are as follows: Clara, John, Cora, Eleanor, William and Louis A. Mr. Philiburt is a Democrat, and for the past twelve years has been a school director in his district. He and his wife were members of the Catholic Church of Argentine and he is one of the public-spirited and law-abiding citizens of this section.
Oliver W. Pierce, horticulturist, Bethel, Kas. Mr. Pierce's par- ents, Elijah and Elizabeth (Whitwell) Pierce, were both natives of the Bay State, and his grandfather, Elijah Pierce, Sr., was a native of Middleborough, Plymouth County, Mass., and a soldier in the War of 1812. The father was a sea captain, and followed that calling most of his life, dying there when our subject was young. He left a family of three children-two sons and a daughter: George D. W. was thirty- eight years of age, when his death occurred in 1871, and he left two children (his wife had died previously); the sister, Lucretia W., became the wife of Charles E. Pierce, who is a carpenter in New Bed- ford, Mass. Oliver W. Pierce was born in Fall River, Mass., January 11, 1842, receiving a good common-school education. When sixteen years of age, he went into a meat-market with his brother, and remained there until nineteen years of age. He then enlisted in Company B, Seventh Massachusetts Infantry (June 16, 1861), and served three years, being mustered out at Taunton, Mass. He was in the Second and Third Divisions in the Sixth Army Corps, was in the first battle of Bull Run, and from that on was in every fight of the Army of the Poto- mac up to Petersburg, Cold Harbor being the last battle. He then re- turned to his old business, which he continued for a few years, working
770
HISTORY OF KANSAS.
for the South Boston Iron Works several years. He then left his trade, and engaged in the butcher's business at Fall River, Mass., working at that until he came to Kansas City, Mo., in April, 1880. In March, 1890, he bought twenty-five acres, where he now lives, and in- tends to devote this entirely to fruit growing, having at the present time 300 apple trees, seventy five peach and fifty cherry trees. The re- mainder of the land he devoted to small fruit. Mr. Pierce was married April 1, 1866, in Fall River, Mass., to Miss Caroline Fiske, and they have one son, George D. F., now twenty-one years of age. He has been traveling salesman for Ridenor, Baker & Co., for two years, but is now at home. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce are of the old Quaker stock and hold to their early training. Mr. Pierce is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having joined that organization at Fall River, and he also belongs to the K. of H. He is independent in so far as his political predilections are concerned. While he still longs for the salt breeze, he has determined to make his home here, and with that end in view has set about improving his farm and building it up. The maternal ancestors of Mr. Pierce run back through the Whit- wells and Winslows to the " Mayflower," three brothers of the Whit- wells' coming over in the " Mayflower."
Nicholas Polfer, one of the earliest settlers of Prairie Township Wyandotte County, Kas., was born in Luxemburg County, Redang, Calmus, April 11, 1829, but has been a resident of this region since 1866, although he first came to the United States in 1857. He is the eldest of seven children born to Frank Polfer, who was also born in Luxemburg County, Redang, Calmus. At the age of eighteen years he entered the French army and followed Napoleon Bonaparte, until the memorable battle of Waterloo, when he was taken prisioner of war. After his return home he settled on a farm where he remained until his thirty-fifth year, when he was chosen what is there called "Country Police," a position he filled with ability for twenty nine years. He passed to his long home in 1863, having, prior to that time, been pre- sented with a medal by the French Government, he being a veteran of their army. Nicholas Polfer was reared to manhood in his native land, and in his youth learned the trade of a wagon maker, a calling which he followed successfully for ten years. He came to America with his brother John in 1857, and after a short stay in the city of Chicago re- moved farther westward to Leavenworth, Kas., but soon tired of this place also. He next went to Weston, Mo., and after following his trade there for three years he spent a short time in St. Louis, next
Y
771
WYANDOTTE COUNTY.
spent a few months in St. Joseph, but throughout the Rebellion was a resident of Iatan, where he experienced some trying times, as this was one of the hotbeds of secession. In 1866 he came to Wyandotte County, Kas., purchased 160 acres of land (and this land improved with good buildings), all of which are capable of being tilled and in a good state of cultivation. He has a large lake on his property which is fed by a spring, and this lake he has stocked with German carp. In 1864 he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Argo, a daughter of James and Sarah Argo, native Kentuckians. Mrs. Polfer was born in Mason County of the same State, March 22, 1840, and has borne her husband seven children: Mary (wife of Bill Renick, residing near Kansas City, Mo.), Sarah (wife of John Renick), Mitchell, Frank, Susan, Benjamin and Nicholas. The three youngest members of the family remain at home and assist their parents in tilling the farm. Mr. Polfer supports the principles of Democracy and is a member of the school board of his district. He also belongs to the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Aid Association, Rock Lodge No. 4189, of which he is treasurer, and he is also a member of the I. O. O. F., holding his membership in Iatan, Mo.
Eli Potter, the subject of the present sketch, is general agent of the Pennsylvania Mutual Life Insurance for the West, having his office in Kansas City. He has under his control the management of Kansas and Missouri, and is generally recognized as one of the most popular and successful insurance men in the United States. The old saying that "practice makes perfect" is fully verified in this case, since he commenced to work with insurance, as early as 1868 with the North Western Insurance, and was soon given the general agency for Illinois, and at a later date he moved to Chicago, taking charge of the Mutual Benefit, and The New England of Boston. After eight years he moved to St. Louis, and in 1878 came to Kansas City to take charge of his lucrative position with the Massachusetts Mutual, and The Mutual of New York, having control of Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska, and also opening the State of Dakota. In 1885 he accepted his present position, and there are few men in this State so well and favorably known as he. Mr. Potter's birth occurred in Hocking County, Ohio, September 6, 1847, being the youngest child born to Edward and Sarah (Morris) Potter, natives of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, respectively, The father was of English descent, while the mother came of an Irish-Welsh family. The former was a physician, and a graduate of Yale College. The subject of this sketch remained at home until he
772
HISTORY OF KANSAS.
had reached his seventeenth year, at which time he went to Springfield to study medicine with a brother for three years, and afterward at- tended a medical college in Chicago, but upon the death of his brother, left school and began working in the insurance business. His busi- ness averages $750,000 per year, and his success is undoubtedly great. He married Miss Anna Bates, daughter of Judge Truman Bates, of Nashville, Tenn., on January 29, 1868. She was born March 20, 1844, and received an excellent education in Jacksonville College, Ill. Mr. Potter displays much talent as an architect, making the plans for the famous Potter House that cost $300,000, and is one of the most elegant houses in the West. It was commenced in 1881, and finished after the newest and most improved designs, and is besides elegantly furnished. One of the specially attractive features of this house is an office with silver and gold trimmings that cost $5,000. Mr. Potter is a member of the Democratic party, and very willing at all times to act in public matters of importance for the good of the community in which he resides. Both Mr. and Mrs. Potter are members of the Baptist Church.
Edward D. Pratt is manager of B. F. Pratt's Consolidated Coal and Cooperage Company, Armourdale, Kas., one of the largest manu- facturing establishments of barrels in the State of Kansas. This com- pany employs seventy-five men, has some of the latest improved ma- chinery, and do an annual business of $150,000. The capacity is 500 barrels per day, and the business is ably managed by Edward D. Pratt. This gentleman was born in Greenup, Ky., on November 29, 1862, and is the son of F. L. and Hannah J. (Meyers) Pratt, natives also of the Blue-Grass State. F. L. Pratt, when a young man, en- gaged in the general mercantile business at Greenup, where he con- tinued until the bankrupt law took effect, after the panic of 1872, which caused him to lose probably $50,000. At that time he was ap- pointed agent of the coopers along the Ohio River, it being his duty to receive the best prices for their product, and made his home in Cincinnati, Ohio, for a short time. Afterward he and family moved to Covington, Ky., where they still make their home, although at present Mr. Pratt is at St. Francis, Ark., where he is connected with timber in an extensive way. There he makes staves, and his business serves as an impetus to the extensive cooperage business, of which our subject is manager. Edward D. Pratt secured his education in the schools of Kentucky, and was early taught the duties of the business, of which he is now the efficient manager. He remained with his
773
WYANDOTTE COUNTY.
father until 1885, and the following year came to Armourdale, where he took charge of the Pratt Consolidated Coal and Cooperage Com- pany. In May, 1884, he married Miss Flora Alfreds, of Covington, Ky., and the result of this union is two children: Ben and Roena. In politics Mr. Pratt is a Republican.
Theodore Praun, farmer and horticulturist, Kansas City, Kas. Of the many prominent citizens of foreign birth now residing in Wyan- dotte County none have made more progress or been more interested in the welfare of the county than the German element. Mr. Praun was born in Bavaria in November, 1835, and his early education was commenced in the private schools of his native country. Later he en- tered the gymnasium, remained there eight years, and then entered the University of Wurzburg, in Bavaria, where he remained for a year and a half. Mr. Praun is a thorough scholar, having taken a full scientific and a partial classical course, is a friend to education, and up- holds all educational principles. He emigrated from Munich in 1858, locating in Johnson County, on 320 acres of land, where he re- mained until the breaking out of the war. He then enlisted in Com- pany H, Second Kansas Volunteers, was assigned to the Western Department, and was in service for four years and a half. He was mus- tered into service on January 2, 1862, for three years' service, and his regiment was actively engaged in the following battles: Prairie Grove, Fort Wayne, Honey Springs, Van Buren, Fort Smith and Saline River. He was honorably discharged at Little Rock, Ark., in May, 1865. Mr. Praun was married to Miss Mary Niever, a native of Ger- many, who bore him six children: Anna (resides in Missouri, and was married to John Kreis, who is a baker by trade), Theresa (resides with her parents), Josephine (also resides at home, and is quite a musician), Mary, and Theodore and Eddie (twins, twelve years of age, and very bright boys, especially in music). Mr. and Mrs. Praun are intelligent and ardent supporters of all the Christian principles which sustain humanity, and have always contributed to all benevolent interests which have been presented for their worthy consideration. In days gone by Mr. Praun had been an upholder of Republican principles, but since the temperance movement has taken such a despotic turn, he has up- held the principles of Democracy. He cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, while he was in the ranks. He has been a mem- ber of the school board in his home district for almost five years. So- cially, he is a member of the I. O. O. F., at Kansas City, Kas. Just at the breaking out of the war Mr. Praun and his brother came to Wyan-
774
HISTORY OF KANSAS.
dotte County, bought sixty-two acres of land, and engaged as practi- cal agriculturists. They remained in this business until 1864, then sold out, repurchased, and are now engaged in horticulture and fruit- growing. Mr. Praun can truthfully state that when he came to this part of the country he could have purchased the land where Kansas City now stands for $50 per acre. He has witnessed the rapid devel- opment of this section of the country, and is interested in all enter- prises for the further development and growth of the same. He now resides in an elegant frame residence of two stories, built in octagonal style, and costing in all about $3,500. He raises a great deal of fruit, principally small, and is not only a prominent citizen of Wyandotte County, but is a prosperous business man and a German gentleman noted for his sociability and hospitality. He is thoroughly posted on all the important topics of current news, and is a man who can with intelligence portray to his friends the principles on which he stands to uphold a country of liberty. Mr. Praun was the ninth of fourteen children, five of whom are now living, born to his parents.
John B. Prentis, druggist, Armourdale, Kas. The profession of the druggist is one which operates effectively in time of need, in arresting and alleviating the most acute pains and ailments to which the human body is heir, and therefore deserves the most thank- ful and appreciative consideration on the part of the public. Among the representative drug stores of the city is that conducted by John B. Prentis. Strict attention is paid to the compounding of physicians' or family prescriptions, all orders being executed with great care and immediate dispatch. Mr. Prentis was born in Charlottesville, Va., on February 26, 1859, and is the son of Robert R. and Margaret A. (Whitehead) Prentis, natives of Suffolk, Va. The father was a lawyer by profession, was county and circuit clerk of Albemarle Coun- ty, Va., at the time of his death in 1871, and was Grand Master of the State of Virginia, in Odd Fellowship. He was also a Mason. He was made colonel of the State Militia. The mother is now living at Suffolk, Va. They had a family of twelve children, of whom J. B. is the seventh son. He was educated at Charlottesville, Va., first in the common schools and then in the academy, and remained at home until twenty-one years of age. He then left home for the West, lo- cated at Warrenburg, Mo., and embarked in the drug business for a time. Later he went to Colorado, but returned subsequently and located in Kansas City, where he again embarked in the drug business. In 1885 he came to Armourdale and has since continued his former
775
WYANDOTTE COUNTY.
business, carrying a general assortment of pure, fresh drugs and chemicals, all the standard proprietary medicines, fancy and toilet articles, perfumes and all those articles required by physicians in their practice. He is a man of sound judgment, good practical common sense, and has the grit and determination to succeed in whatever he undertakes. He is a stanch Democrat in politics, and was born and reared in the birthplace of President Jefferson. While he is inclined to be a natural leader among men, he never swerves from party prin- ciples. He is pleasant and agreeable in his social relations, is gener- ous to a fault, and in fact is a man in whom the county and State may well be prond. He is a first-class pharmacist and his efficiency in his profession is the result of long experience and practice. Mr. Prentis was married in March, 1888, to Miss Ida M. Koepsel, a charming and highly accomplished lady, a native of Nebraska, daughter of Rev. Herman Koepsel, of Smithton, Mo. He is a member of the K. of P., Uniform Rank, Select Knights, in the A. O. U. W., and Foresters.
William Priestley. Many years ago James Priestley and Miss Pris- cilla Mitchell were born in England, and in that country were married. They continued to make that their home until 1844, at which date they emigrated to the United States, to find new scenes and different customs. Mr. Priestley was a weaver, and upon reaching the new country, settled first in Wisconsin, but at a later date moved to Kansas City. Of this union was born the subject of this sketch, William Priestley, whose birth occurred at Kenosha, Wis., October 31, 1844, and in that State continued to live up to the time of his manhood, re- ceiving a good common-school education. He enlisted in Company G, Second Wisconsin Cavalry, on November 14, 1861, serving under Capt. Dale and Capt. C. C. Washburn. He was engaged in the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark., and did scouting duty through the South, and followed Gen. Custer to Texas, where he took part in numerous bat- tles. He was sufficiently fortunate to escape injury, and was mustered ont at Austin, Texas, and discharged at Madison, Wis., in December, 1865. When peace was once more restored throughout the country, Mr. Priestley came to Kansas City, but owing to illness, was compelled to return to Wisconsin, where he remained three years, returning to Wyandotte County in 1869, where he has made his home up to the present date. On March 8, 1874, he married Miss Martha Barnett, who died in two years after their marriage, and November 14, 1877, he married Mrs. Henrietta (Blum) Zick, a native of Illinois. To this union were born five children, four of whom are living, viz. : Priscilla. Wil-
776
HISTORY OF KANSAS.
himaine B., Charlotte M., and Mary E. Mr. Priestley is a member of the Republican party. He was brought up in the Episcopal Church, and takes a great interest in religious matters. He is a member of the Wyandotte Lodge No 3, A. F. & A. M., of which he is past master, Wyandotte Chapter No. 6, Knight Templar, and Ivanhoe Commandery No. 21, Summonduwott Lodge No. 3, I. O. O. F., going through the chair, and was representative to the Grand Lodge of the State in 1873 and 1878, Wyandotte Encampment No. 9, of which he was represent- ative. He also belongs to the Fellowship Lodge No. 2, K. of P., and was one of the charter members of the Franklin Lodge No. 293, A. O. U. W., and also of Burnside Post No. 28, G. A. R., being senior vice-commander at the present time. Mr. Priestley is numbered among the prominent brick contractors of Kansas City, and has been unusually successful in his business ventures. Among the well-known business and dwelling houses that he has erected, is the I. O. O. F. building, two large additions to the Blind Institute, the residence of John B. Seroggs, and the George Bishop Block, and many others of equal size and cost.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.