USA > Oklahoma > Portrait and biographical record of Oklahoma; commemorating the achievements of citizens who have contributed to the progress of Oklahoma and the development of its resources, V. 1 > Part 46
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planted by the enterprising master of the farm.
The Perry family is of English descent, the great-great-grandfather having come from his island home before the Revolutionary war. He settled in Tennessee, and engaged in farming. and led an active Christian life, becoming quite an influence in the community. During the war of the Revolution he served his adopted country with courage and distinction. His son, Round- tree Perry, was born in middle Tennessee, and removed to southern Illinois in the very early days, where he took up government land, and improved hundreds of acres from the timber. He was successful in his chosen line of work, and was in every way an estimable man. Next in succession, John Perry, the father of J. W., was born in Williamson county, Il !. , and never during his active life did he depart from his native locality. His death at the age of thirty-four brought to an untimely close a life which was deemed almost above reproach, and which had crowded into its years much of usefulness, kind- liness and success. His wife, Elizabeth (Stotler) Perry, was a member of a prominent southern Illinois family. She became the mother of eight children, four of whom are living, those besides our subject being: William, a farmer in the Panhandle country, Texas; Mary Ann, wife of William Newman; and Stephen A. Douglas, a farmer in Harper county, Kans. Mrs. Perry contracted- another marriage with James Hurst. and of this union there are four children : George. Daniel, Benjamin and Stella. The children are living in the Cheyenne and Arapahoe country. The mother died May 1, 1900, at the age of sixty-eight.
J. W. Perry was united in marriage, March 25. I871, with Mary V. Wills, of Ohio, a daughter of William D. Wills, a farmer who settled in southeastern Missouri in 1853. To Mr. and Mrs. Perry have been born the following-named chil- dren: Alfred; Ida, who is the wife of George W. Beckley; Franklin; Emma, who is the wife of David Sloane: Mitchell, Edward, Daisy and Earl. Mr. Perry is now a believer in the princi- ples of the Populist party, and formerly asso- ciated himself with the Republicans. Although not an office-seeker, he has served on the school board for several years, and takes an active part in all that pertains to the improvement of his township. With the family, he is connected with the Advent Church, of which he has been a men- ber for twenty years, and of which he is at the present time superintendent of the Sunday school at Wanamaker. Like his ancestors. Mr. Perry is of a deeply religious nature, and fashions his life and undertakings upon the principles laid down by his church and conscience, and in so doing has won the respect of all who know him.
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George, a Deck
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
H ARRISON D. PULLIAM, known far and wide throughout Oklahoma as one of the founders of Logan county, resides on a model homestead on section 20, township 16, range 4. He is a worthy representative of one of the old and highly honored families of St. Clair county, Ill. His grandfather, Thomas Pul- liam, located in the locality mentioned, in the early settlement of the state, and at a time when the now great metropolis of St. Louis, Mo., pos- sessed but four stores, these being conducted by Frenchmen. One of the first white men in St. Clair county, Mr. Pulliam had some very unpleasant experiences with the Indians, who regarded our race with great suspicion. For a long time he did not dare to leave his cabin without locking his son, John P., who was a child, safely within its shelter, while he and his wife went to the fields together, taking with them guns strapped to their plow, perhaps. At length, however, he succeeded in winning the esteem of the red men by giving them beads and brass ornaments, which he bought in St. Louis. By some negotiations with the governor, lie be- came the owner of nineteen hundred and fifty acres of the best land in St. Clair county, and with characteristic energy instituted a number of enterprises. He built and operated the first ferry on the Kaskaskia river (within his own county boundaries) and at Fayetteville erected and carried on the first flour-mill, also aiding in . laying out that town. In many ways he advanced the county's prosperity, and was ranked with its leading citizens. He was summoned to the silent land in 1863 and his mortal remains were interred in Fayetteville.
The father of our subject was John P. Pul- liam, a native of St. Clair county. He grew to maturity there and in early manhood undertook the management of the flouring-mill which his father had built. He continued to devote his attention to that line of business until his death, which event occurred in 1854. He left a widow (formerly Mary Dial) and to her fell the arduous task of rearing their two sons and five daugh- ters. Jefferson, the eldest of these, now resides in California. and Elizabeth, the only surviving daughter, is the wife of W. B. Justice, a farmer of Henry county, Mo.
The birth of Harrison Dial Pulliam occurred March 20, 1846, in St. Clair county. When he had arrived at man's estate, he was united in marriage with Maggie Hesick, whose father, George M. Hesick, was then one of the wealthi- est mien of St. Clair county. John, the only son of this union, is a resident of Oklahoma City, and the two daughters, Etta and . Katie, are citizens of Marion county, Ill., and St. Louis, Mo .. re- spectively. In 1872 Mr. Pulliam married Vic- toria Daniels, of Barton county, Mo., and none
of their twelve children has received the deatlı summons, nor has the family circle been broken, for all are yet under the home roof-tree.
It was in 1878 that Mr. Pulliam became a resi- dent of Henry county, Mo., and when it had been decreed that Oklahoma territory was to be. opened to the public, he determined to possess a share of this goodly land. He was one of the number who made the famous run for home- steads on that memorable April 22, 1889, and, proceeding from Guthrie, he located a quarter of section 20. township 16, range 4. His mother, who came on the train to Guthrie, took up a quarter of section 17, township 16, range 4, and after hier death this property became her son's. For nine years he dwelt in a log cabin here. which he built soon after his arrival, and now he and his family reside in a substantial, though small. frame house. He has carefully cultivated this productive land, and now raises fine crops of wheat each year, eighty-five acres being devoted to this cereal. He also raises hogs extensively, and is successful in most of his undertakings.
In his political views, Mr. Pulliam is a Demo-' crat, and at present is serving as one of the county committeemen of his party. He takes a patriot's interest in his country and home com- munity and performs his share towards its up- building.
G EORGE A. PECK, who was born on the True Blue Farm, in Avoca, Steuben county, N. Y., July 14, 1837, was a loyal, patriotic citizen, well worthy of an honored place in the annals of his country. He early became actuated by high principles, and when the Union which he loved was endangered, he needed no second call to her defense, and faithfully stood at his post of duty no less in years of peace than in war. Though he had been reared in the free. open air, he was not physically very strong. He had promptly enlisted in Company A, Twenty- third New York Infantry, but had a severe hem- orrhage of the lungs ere he had left the state with his regiment, and was mustered out of the army July 2, 1861. He was a young man of great will-power, and, having recovered, apparently. within a few weeks, he again presented himself for service, and on August 17, was enrolled with the same company as before, and was assigned to camp at Arlington Heights. There he was prostrated by a fever, and again was discharged from the service, September 19. The plucky sol- dier recovered sufficiently during the next month to enable him to join Company E. First New York Light Artillery, by the 20th of October. 1861, and for about a year he shared the for- tunes of his comrades, taking part in some im- portant military operations.
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While they were actively engaged in battle with the enemy in the early part of the autumn of 1862, the tide suddenly appeared to be going against his artillery force, as the Confederates made a desperate attempt to capture the guns. Mr. Peck was disabled by the discharge of a can- non, his left ear-drum being burst by the con- cussion, and his knee-cap also was seriously injured, but he sturdily endeavored to stand by his guns, and when he believed his foes were to be the victors, he started to spike the cannon, but his comrades, rallying, succeeded in dragging it out of the danger lines, and Mr. Peck was saved by his riding away, seated on the novel equi- page. His disabilities led to his being dis- charged, September 6, 1862, and his numerous wounds proved very troublesome for years. Lameness and partial deafness were left as per- manent reminders of his service, and not the least of his disabilities was the chronic stomach affection which he contracted while he suffered the hardships of the crude army fare and mani- fold privations. After he had recuperated to some extent, he eagerly responded again to the call of his country, and September 21, 1864, en- listed for another year, and was placed in the ranks of Company C, One Hundred and Eighty- ninth New York Infantry. He was honorably discharged at the close of the war, and was mus- tered out May 30, 1865. He had taken part in the seven days' battle of the Wilderness, where his company sustained severe losses, as only twenty-seven of the number survived, and only nine were able to walk from the field.
After his disastrous experience in the war, Mr. Peck had a lifelong fight with his disabilities. For a period he endeavored to carry on a farm in Indiana, but he was not equal to the exertion, and then turned his attention to commercial transactions. For seventeen years he traveled as a salesman for different firms, his territory being that between Michigan and Mississippi, New York and the Missouri river. April 22, 1889, he made the run into Oklahoma territory, on the third train penetrating the newly opened section, and when he reached Guthrie he was sagacious enough to take advantage of the slight stay there by proceeding along the line to the first train, waiting just ahead on the track. Thus he was fortunate in selecting a good homestead upon his arrival at Seward. His property, where he drove his stakes and posted his soldier's dec- laration, is located on the southeastern quarter of section 3. township 15, range 3. He soon re- turned to his home in Terre Haute, Ind., and adjusted his affairs there. He then removed to his new possessions, where he instituted valua- ble improvement, notwithstanding his failing health. For years he was an esteemed member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and when
the final roll-call was responded to by him, Jan- uary 22, 1896, his comrades conducted his funeral services and placed his remains in the Seward cemetery, with all of the honors of the fraternity. He had been affiliated with the Republican party. but was undesirous of public office, preferring to pursue his way in a quiet, unostentatious man- ner.
During one of his business trips, which took him to Terre Haute, Mr. Peck became ac- quainted with his future wife, Annis, daughter of Abram C. and Sarah (Drew) Williams. She was born on the old state line between New Jersey and New York state, in Vernon, Sussex county, N. J., and there was reared to womanhood. She was first married to Winfield M. Scott, and one child, Bertha A., was born to them. The latter became the wife of Ellsworth L. Meek, and died July 2, 1896, leaving a little daughter. Constance A., born January 13, 1895, at the Peck home- stead. The marriage of George A. Peck and Annis Williams (who had resumed her maiden name) was celebrated July 21, 1888, in Terre Haute, where she had been successfully engaged in the millinery business about nine years. She is conducting the fine homestead which was left to her, and is displaying excellent judgment and financial ability.
H ARRY BEAM. One of the young, ambi- tious agriculturists of Logan county is Harry Beam, a native of Morris (now Cooper) township, Clearfield county, Pa. His birth took place April 17, 1867, and his early years and youth were spent in the varied pur- suits of a farmer. His parents, George and Mar- garet J. (Adams) Beam, removed with their fam- ily to Wright county, Mo., in 1872, and within the following year the father was called to his reward. He left his new homestead of two hun- dred acres to his widow and four children, and the mother bravely met the great problems and responsibilities thns devolving upon her and kept her children together until they were grown.
Harry Beam, who was the second of the four children, was deprived of his loving father's care when six years of age, and as soon as he could be of any use upon the farm he loyally aided his mother in the management of the place. He re- ceived an excellent education in the common schools and in a local academy, and for a few months was employed in a store at Mansfield. Then, for a period of about two years, he worked in a printing office, and subsequently found eni- ployment in a drug store.
In 1804. Harry Beam came to Oklahoma. where, the preceding year. his uncle. John Adams, had purchased the southwestern quarter of section 30, township 15, range 3. Mr. Adams,
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Leslie G. Niblack
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
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who was a native of Pennsylvania, and a man of superior education, was an invalid for many wears, thus being debarred from active labors, though he was successfully occupied in teaching during the greater part of his mature life. His ill health dated from his severe army experi- ence, for he had enlisted in the Forty-fifth Penn- sylvania Infantry during the Civil war. and par- ticipated in the battle of Gettysburg. among many other important engagements. He after- wards was so unfortunate as to contract a severe cold when he was recovering from an attack of the measles, and thus his health became perma- nently impaired. Our subject leased the farm from his unele soon after his arrival here, and since that time has industriously been engaged in improving and cultivating the place. The uncle departed this life February 19, 1899, and pre- viously had deeded this property to his devoted nephew, the present owner. The latter has greatly improved the farm, and has built a com- fortable house, 24x28 feet in dimensions, and containing five rooms. He also has a good barn, a fair orchard and other evidences of care and forethoughit for his future needs. Politically, he is a Republican, but in no sense of the word is he a politician and office-seeker.
L ESLIE G. NIBLACK, president of the Leader Printing Company, and editor and manager of the Leader, is regarded as one of the brightest, most progressive and versatile newspaper men. not only in Oklahoma, but throughout the southwest. Possessing a decided ability for the field of journalism, together with a fondness for the work, he has naturally forged his way to the front, and stands out conspicu- ously among the editors of the territory. In his home town of Guthrie he wields a decided influence among the members of the Democratic party, and through the medium of the daily. weekly and Sunday editions of the Leader has been enabled to accomplish much to advance party interests.
During the latter part of 1893 Mr. Niblack came to Guthrie. Though at the time a mere youth, he at once exhibited decided ability as a business man and journalist. He bought stock in the Daily Leader. and since 1897 has been the controlling stockholder in the company that owns the paper. The Leader was established in 1802 and soon took rank as the most prominent Democratic paper in the territory. It is the official organ of territorial Democracy, and sworn statistics show that it has the largest cir- culation of all territorial papers. The plant is modern in every respect. It is equipped with bindery and book-making departments, job printing departments, and has four cylinder
presses, three gas engines and Merganthaler typesetting machines. The plant occupies both the upper and lower floors of Nos. 107-109 West Harrison avenue, Guthrie. From this establish- ment is turned out the greater part of the terri- torial printing, as well as the book and blank supplies for the twenty-three counties of the ter- ritory. On the pay-roll of the printing office are forty-two names.
During the administration of Governor Ren- frow, Major Niblack was paymaster-general of the National Guard. For two years he was pres- ident of the Oklahoma Press Association, and he is now a director of the Territorial Historical Society. In 1896, as national Democratie com- mitteeman for the territory, he urged the national committee to increase Oklahoma's delegate representation in national conventions from two to six delegates, and was chairman of the Bryan notification committee from Okla- homa in that year. He is a past chancellor commander of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, and a knight of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, also a Mason of the thirty-second degree. Socially he is genial: in business, endowed with keen judgment and foresight; as an editor, resourceful, logical and wielding the pen of a ready writer. Ile is, indeed, a sterling example of what it is possible for a young man of energy and determination to accomplish in a new coun- try.
J. C. RAY, a prosperous farmer of Logan county, makes his home on the northeast quarter of section 32, township 16. range 3 west, his postoffice being Guthrie. He was born in Ray county, Mo., September 19, 1853. and is a son of H. C. and Abbie (Odle) Ray. His father was born near Harrodsburg. Ky., and was a young man when his parents moved to Missouri, Ray county having been named after his father, Isham Ray. II. C. Ray was a soldier from Missouri in the war with Mexico, and served under General Price, being with the army at the capture of Mexico City. When the Civil war broke out, he enlisted for six months' serv- ice in the Union army, and then for a period of three years. At the battle of Nashville he was wounded in the left leg and captured by the enemy, but was soon paroled and sent home. Afterward he again went to the front, serving in several other important engagements. At the close of the war he settled near Springfield, Mlo .. and lived there a short time. then went to Buchanan county, Mo. In 1881 he settled in AAtchison county. Kans. From there he came to Oklahoma in 1880 and afterward lived with his son until his death. November 20, 1808.
J. C. Ray received a very limited amount of
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schooling, owing to the war, but has picked up a good practical business education. He re- mained at home until the twenty-second year of his age. After his marriage, in 1875, he rented a farmi in Missouri, and lived there until 1881, thenee moving to Atchison county, Kans., where he operated a farm until 1889. He made the run from the north line at the opening of Okla- homa April 22, 1889, but was unsuccessful, and in May returned to Kansas. In November, 1889, he again came to Oklahoma and bought the claim where he is now located, bringing his family in January. There was a small house on the property, 12×14 feet, but otherwise it was wholly unimproved, no fencing, and the sod un- broken by the plow. As a result of his industry, the farin is now under cultivation, is fenced, and in good condition throughout. He lias a good house and farm buildings, and an orchard of several acres, which is bearing well.
Mr. Ray has four children. Isham, who was born in Missouri, and now resides in Oklahoma, married Hattie Nelson, and lias one son, John. Nelson; Nina, who was born in Missouri, mar- ried Henry Mills, and lives in Oklahoma: Sam- uel was born at Muscotah, Atchison county, Kans .; and Noel was also born in Atchison county. Our subject first exercised his elective franchise in favor of Haves and was a Republican until recent years He has served as township treasurer for many years. In religion he is a member of the Christian Church at Seward, where he holds the office of deacon.
P. P. SCOTT. The traveler passing along the northeast quarter of section 32, town- ship 19, range 2 west. Logan county. will notice one of the snuggest homesteads in the township, and at once recognize it as the home of thrift and industry. the result of energy and perseverance. The history of its owner and builder is, in brief, as follows:
Mr. Scott was born in Shelby county, Il .. March 8. 1863, and is the son of J. W. and Louise (Tucker) Scott, who were representatives of some of the best families of their respective communities. He grew to manhood on the farm and received his rudimentary education in the distriet school. after which he attended the high school in Shelbyville. Upon becoming ready to establish a home of his own, he was united in marriage. September 3. 1883, with Miss Sarah Jane Hott. Mrs. Scott was born in Shelby county, Ill., a daughter of George and Harriet ( Beaver) Hott, old and prominent settlers of that county, where George Hott died. The mother is living in Winfield, Kans.
After his marriage Mr. Scott prosecuted farm- ing in Illinois until 18go, and then decided to
cross the Mississippi and try his fortune in Okla- homa. Arriving here in February of 1890, ile purchased one hundred and sixty acres, which he now occupies, paying for the property $1,000. which took all of his available cash. He was pros- pered in his labors, and was soon enabled to put up a house, 14x20, in which the family were com- foitably sheltered until the present neat resi- dence was erected. He put up his barn, 36x40. in 1809. and bought ancther eighty acres in the spring of that year. His farming operations have been very successful, the soil yielding a fair crop each year. Besides a good orchard. he has a flourishing vineyard, together with black- berries and other smaller fruits.
The four children of Mr. and Mrs. Scott are: Charles Clarence, born in Shelby county, Ill .: Hattie Eva, also a native of the Prairie state: Mamie Grace, and Raymond McKinley, born in Oklahoma.
Mr. Scott is a Republican in politics, casting his first presidential vote for Blaine in 1884. He was a candidate for county commissioner in 1886, but withdrew before the convention. Polit- ically, he has been quite active in local affairs, and keeps well posted concerning the national and international questions of the day. His social standing has always been of the high- est, and he is capable of filling any office in the county within the gift of the people. His reli- gious connections are with the Evangelical As- sociation, which holds services in the Pleasant Valley schoolhouse, and in which he is ciass leader. He is a charter member of the Modern Woodmen of America at Mulhall, and an officer in the same. In addition, he is a charter member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, being a master workman.
W ILLIAM JACKSON RICHARDSON, postmaster at West. Logan county, is one of the progressive farmers of this locality, his home being on the northeastern quarter of section 27, township 15, range 4 west. He is essentially a self-made man, as he was orphaned at an early age, and has ever been dependent upon his own resources.
Born in Strabane, Washington county, Pa .. September 20, 1843, he is a son of Samnel B. and Ellen ( Hastings) Richardson, who, like- wise, were natives of the same county. The mother died when the son was seven years oldl. and about 1852 the father went to Cass county. Ind., where he married and made a home for his little ones. Returning to his native state in 1854. he brought back with him his son and daugh- ter, but death claimed him two years later. In 1858 our subject accompanied his paternal grandparents to Nemaha county, Neb., and
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three years subsequently death again entered the family and took away the grandfather. The filial youth remained with his grandmother until the close of the Civil war, managing the home- stead.
In 1866 W. J. Richardson drove to the western part of Nebraska, and for a period engaged in supplying passing emigrants and scattered ranches in that locality with vegetables and sup- plies. In 1867 he invested a portion of his funds in a fine corn-sheller, and for the ensuing fifteen years devoted much of his time to the business of threshing and shelling corn for the public. In the meantime he bought eighty acres of land in Nemaha county, and also purchased property in Peru, where he made his home with his aunt and grandmother until his marriage. In 1885 he removed to Richardson county, Neb., where he operated rented land about five years. In Feb- ruary, 1890, he started with his family in a wagon for Oklahoma, and for five weeks they were on the southward journey. He had homesteaded a tract of land here the previous autumn, and. arriving at his destination, camped out in a tent with his family for six weeks, in the mean- time building a barn and his present house. Since that time he has instituted numerous im- provements, which have greatly increased the value of the place, one of the fine features of which is a large grove. In 1897 he bought the quarter-section of land adjoining his homestead, and in 1899 invested in another tract of eighty acres. In addition to this large amount of land. he leases another quarter-section. For the past eight years he has handled cattle extensively, and is the owner of a thoroughbred horse.
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