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 47
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The second marriage of Mr. Richardson took place in Nebraska City. June 6, 1867. the lady of his choice being Miss S. E. Tevebaugh, a daughter of Jacob and Lucinda (Howe) Teve- baugh. She was born in Jackson county. Mo .. and when she was in her fifteenth year removed to the west with her parents, her father finding abundant employment as a contractor and builder, his accustomed line of work. The eldest child of our subject and wife. Grace, died No- vember .8, 1894, at the age of sixteen years. The eldest son, Archibald, was born in Peru, Neb .. July 3, 1879: Frances was born on her parents' farm, near Peru, September 11. 1881; Samuel was born on the same farm. August 19, 1883: and Andrew T., in Richardson county, Neb .. June 5. 1885.
In his early life, Mr. Richardson was identi- fied with the Democratic party, but of late years has been independent in politics. The postoffice of West was established by a pioneer of this locality, named West, and several times was dis- continued, owing to its small patronage, but finally it was re-established through the efforts
of our subject, in December, 1893, and since that time he has served as postmaster.
S IMON STUDEBAKER. Among the ener- getic citizens worthy of being numbered with the founders of Oklahoma is Simon Studebaker, of Logan county. As his name indicates, he sprang from the sturdy old Penn- sylvania-German stock, and to the influence of his inherited qualities, rather than to his early advantages, he owes the greater part of his suc- cess- in life. His father, Jacob Studebaker, was bereft of his father when young, the Pennsyl- vania Indians taking him prisoner and then kill- ing him. Jacob Studebaker removed from the Keystone state, his native place, subsequent to his marriage to Rebecca Slusher. and took up his residence in Darke county, Ohio, where he died a few years later, in 1848.
The birth of Simon Studebaker having oc- curred in 1844, he was thus deprived of a father's care at the tender age of four years, and six years afterwards his mother was summoned to the silent land. The birthplace of our subject was on the old homestead in Richland, Darke county, Ohio, and for several years after he was or- phaned he was dependent upon his brother and sister. He remained with them until he arrived at maturity, and, owing to their struggles to gain a livelihood, they had small opportunities for an education. Our subject undoubtedly made a wise resolve when he decided to try his fortunes in the west, and in 1871 he located a homestead in township 6, Saline county, Neb. There he continued to dwell for a score of years, in the meantime meeting with fair success, and greatly increasing the value of the farm. In 1891 he came to Logan county, and bought the north- eastern quarter of section 18, township 16. range 3 west. Very little had been done in the way of improvements here, the most being a cabin 14x16 feet. The new proprietor at once began building barns and fences and instituting various changes for the better. A finely kept vineyard and orchard are not the least among the charms of this flourishing farm, and a good income is derived from honey, which product is quite scarce in this locality.
September 27. 1868, Mr. Studebaker an.l Sophia Plessinger were united in marriage, in Darke county, Ohio. She is a daughter of David and Elizabeth Plessinger, who were originally from Pennsylvania. Two brothers of Mrs. Stude- baker survive, namely: William and Warren. and she has one sister, Clarice. Their eldest child, June E., is the wife of William 11. Thorn. a well-to-do farmer of Cedar township. Logan county. Bertha, the second in order of birth, is visiting friends in California. William 1 .. and
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Frank C. are enterprising farmers, the former owning a homestead in Greer county, Okla., and the latter being engaged in labors in this locality. Verne, the youngest of the family, is at home.
Politically, Mr. Studebaker is independent in his views, and, in accordance with his convic- tions of duty, he gives his ballot to the man and platform which he deems best calculated to meet the exigencies of the times, regardless of party lines. He is a friend to education and every- thing having the spirit of progress, and loyally he performis his part in his own community.
W H. SNOOK. Among the many who have come to Oklahoma to retrieve their fortunes, and who have, in a measure, realized their expectations, may be mentioned Mr. Snook, who first took up his residence in the territory in March of 1890. The previous Sep- tember he had succeeded in purchasing land on section 17, which was absolutely without im- provements, and he at once began to develop the resources of the soil, until he finally had one hundred and twenty acres under cultivation. A good orchard was set out, and included among the trees were eight hundred apple trees, while others were pear, peach, and apricot, and there were, besides, many small fruits. In 1893 Mr. Snook sold his claim and bought the southwest quarter of section 17, which was, unlike the original purchase, improved. After a residence here of four years, he repurchased the first claim, making in all three hundred and twenty acres of land. To the cultivation and improve- ment of his farms he devotes his entire time, and this in a measure accounts for his great success. A specialty is made of wheat, and an annual crop of from one hundred and fifty to two hun- dred acres is raised, with an average of from twenty-two to twenty-five bushels to the acre. Mr. Snook also deals extensively in cattle, and has one hundred head. also eighty Poland-China hogs. To facilitate the raising of cattle, there are two good wells on the place and plenty of good pasture.
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Mr. Snook was born in Pennsylvania in 1852. and is of Scotch ancestry. The paternal grand- father was born in Germany of Scotch parentage. and was one of the early settlers of Pennsylvania. where he died at an advanced age. The father of W. H. was Nolen P. Snook. of Pennsylvania, and who, in 1861, moved to Michigan, where he lived for nine years. Thence he went to Macon county, Mo., where he died after nine years of residence, at the age of forty-seven. He was a farmer during the years of activity, and suc- cessfully conducted a remunerative farm. His wife, Caroline ( Cook ) Snook, was born in Lehigh county, Pa., and was the mother of six children,
five of whom are living, and of whom our subject is the oldest. The others are: Howard, who i- living in Kansas; Mary, who is the wife of Moses Collins; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Max Col- lins, and lives in Garfield county, Okla .; and Jerry, whose home is in Grant county, Okla.
The early life of W. H. Snook was practically uneventful, and the counterpart of the average country-reared boy. In 1878 he went with his two brothers, Howard and Jerry, to Ottawa county, Kans., where they homesteaded a claim on government land. upon which they lived for several years. Eventually the claimi was pur- chased from the state, and the enterprising boys resorted to general farming and stock-raising. often having as many as one hundred and fifty head of cattle, The first independent undertak- ing of W. H .. Snook was at the opening of the Oklahoma strip, when he located on his present claim in Sherman township, Kingfisher county.
In 1880 Mr. Snook was united in marriage with Alwilda Stetler, and of this union there are four children: Wellington, Estella, Anna and Fern. Mr. Snook's political inclinations are with the Republican party, but he has never been an office-seeker. At the earnest solicitations of friends, he has, however, consented to serve on the school board. The family are devoted mem- bers of the Evangelical Church at Lyon Valley. and he has for years been class leader. He is re- garded as an enterprising and progressive mem- ber of his township, and has shown a ready willingness to aid in forwarding all that tends to the improvement of the locality in which he lives.
A LLEN KNOX. On his finely improved farm located on the northwest quarter of section 5. Union township, Kingfisher county, Mr. Knox has realized many of his ex- pectations in regard to a successful agricultural life. He was born in Montgomery county. Iowa. and is a son of James Knox. a native of Butler county, Ohio. James Knox went to Iowa in an early day and located on government land, where he lived for twenty-one years, engaged in general farming and stock-raising. In 1874 he settled in Cowley county. Kaus., where he died in 1884. at the age of fifty-five. He was a farmer during all the years of his activity, and made a substan- tial impression upon the localities in which his lot was cast. Ilis wife, formerly Julia Des Com- bus, was the mother of nine children. The iol- lowing are living: Frank. a farmer in Union township: Mary, who is the wife of Peter Moore: Allen, of Union township; Flora, who is mar- ried to F. M. Gnion; and William, a farmer in the Cheyenne country.
From Montgomery county, Iowa, at the age of
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CHARLES MOORE, Waukomis.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
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twelve, Allen Knox moved with his parents to Kansas, where he grew to manhood, and re- ceived the greater part of his education. Until his father's death he farmed in Cowley county. In 1884 he moved to Stafford county, Kans., and bought railroad land, which he at once began to improve, and upon which he lived until the opening of Oklahoma. April 22, 1889, he made the rim from Buffalo Springs, and located on the dlaim which has since been his home. The land was covered with timber, which necessitated a great deal of hard work and steady application to duty, but for which the results were ample reward. During the first summer, in lieu of bet- ter accommodations, Mr. Knox lived in his wagon. At the present time eighty-five acres have been cleared, and a small orchard set out, which contains a number of kinds of fruits. Mr. Knox is much interested in cattle-raising, and keeps on hand a good-sized herd of cattle. A source of revenue also is the high-grade regis- tered hogs, which are among the finest in the township.
In 1884 Mr. Knox married Anna Bailey, of Missouri, and she is the mother of six children: Bessie, Elva, Earl, Ira: Ralph, who died at the age of five weeks: and a little five-weeks-old. daughter. In politics Mr. Knox is a member of the Democratic party, and was elected chairman of the township committee, but refused to serve. Hle is a member of the school board, and takes mnich interest in local politics. A self-made man, who began his life in Oklahoma at the bottom of the ladder, he has, while associating with his fellow-townsmen, gained their respect and good . when he made the run from the south line and will, and is accounted a reliable citizen.
C HARLES MOORE. Previous to coming to Waukomis in the fall of 1893 Mr. Moore had occasion to become very familiar with the business and other conditions of a number of cities in the extreme castern part of the coun- try. Born in New York City in 1846, he was the son of Joel Moore, a prominent Methodist cler- gyman, who went to California in 1849 and car- ried his gospel of light to the vast army of gold- -vekers then assembling. His wife died when Her son Charles was but a babe, and when he had reached his tenth year he was bound out to a family of Shakers at Mount Lebanon, N. Y .. with whom he lived until he was sixteen years of
With the call to arms in 1861 hie enlisted in Company K. Eighth Massachusetts Volunteers, and served for eighteen months. During this time he was with Gen. Lew Wallace's brigade. When Early burned the bridge, the regulars based the river at Havre de Grace on the float- mg burning remains. Mr. Moore was mustered
out of service at Boston Common in the fall of 1864, and immediately located at Pittsfield, Mass. In the spring of 1865 he went to Meriden, Conn .. where he remained until 1872, and during that time he learned his trade. He then took up his residence in Hartford, Conn., but two years later, in 1874, returned to Meriden, where he repre- sented the interests of the Wilson and White Organ Company. In 1885 he entered Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., from which he graduated the same year.
Mr. Moore's next venture was in Harper county, Kans., where, in the town of Anthony, he opened a music business on a large scale and also handled musical instruments. Later, in Stevens county, Kans., he became interested in the loan and abstract business. In the fall of 1887 he was elected county clerk, and served during the famous fight as to the location of the county seat. He took a strong stand for its re- tention in the old place and his side was vic- torious in the contest. Some of the results of the fight were dire to contemplate, five men hav- ing been killed in No Man's Land (now called Beaver county), and thirty were indicted by the United States federal court in Texas. Six of these were convicted, but finally released. Dur- ing the long and bitter struggle, Mr. Moore, by the exercise of his natural tact and forbearance. succeeded in keeping on friendly terms with the opposing factions, and his good management won him the distinction of having charge of the companies who were called out to preserve the order of the town. He remained here until 1893.
located his claim on Red Rock, northeast of Enid.
During the same fall Mr. Moore moved into Waukomis and built the first store in the city. and in the spring laid in a complete stock of gen- eral merchandise, suitable for the increased re- quirements of a growingtown. His success in the same line of work, to which he has since devoted his entire time, has been indeed gratifying. and he has the satisfaction of having won the confi- dence of the business and social community, and a corresponding lucrative trade. In 1808 he added fifty feet to his original store, making the dimensions of the present structure 100x25 feet. and this space enables him to carry the largest stock in the city.
In 1895 Mr. Moore married Edith Campbell. from Woodward. his former deputy in Stevens county, Kans. Of this union there are two chil- dren, Charles Moore, Jr., and Nellie. Mr. Moore was one of the incorporators of the town of Wall- komis. He is a member of the school board and the present clerk of said board. He is also a member of the county central committee. In the fall of 1894 he was a candidate for county
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commissioner of Garfield county. During his residence in Stevens county, Kanis., he was nom- inated for the legislature and was defeated by Judge Drew, a Populist, by only thirty-five votes, running considerably ahead of his ticket.
B ENTON STATES, whose well-conducted claim is located on the northeast quarter of section 18, Skeleton township, Kingfisher county, came to Oklahoma, July 18. 1889, from Lane county, Kans. He was born in Ray county, Mo., in 1867, and is a son of John States, a native of Richland county, Ohio, where he was born in 1843. When a boy of fourteen or fifteen he went to Missouri with a brother, and undertook his own support. At the age of eighteen he enlisted in the Sixth Missouri Cavalry, under Captain Turner, and served for three years and thrce months in Missouri and Arkansas, being later at- tached to the regiment of General Rosecrans, in the southwest. He participated in the battles of Pea Ridge, Mo .; Lexington, and many minor skirmishes. His war experience was rendered particularly sad owing to the death of his brother Daniel at the battle of Murfreesboro, where he was blown to pieces by the artillery.
After receiving honorable discharge at Spring- field, Mo., Mr. States went to Leavenworth, Kans., and there joined a freighting expedition headed for Denver, Colo., with which he re- mained for about a year, going then to Ray county, Mo. Until 1885 he gave his attention to general farming. but at that time moved his family to Lane county, Kans., and homesteaded a claim on government land, upon which he lived until the spring of 1889. With others equally ambitious, he made the run from Buffalo Springs into Kingfisher county, and settled on the farm to which his son filed a claim the following July. Here was passed the remainder of his life, and he died May 29, 1892. After coming to Oklahoma, he was converted to the Church of Christ, and was thereafter active in religious work. He was a progressive and in- dustrious man, and a firm believer in the princi- ples of the Republican party. His wife, Miram (Mc Kown) States, was born in Ray county, Mo .. and became the mother of five children, viz .: Benton: Oliver, who is a farmer in Garfield county; Edward, living in Reno county. Kans .: Mary, who is the wife of Stephen Parnell: and George, a farmer in this township. After being left a widow, Mrs. States took a claim in Gar- field county, at the opening of the strip in 1893. This she improved, and upon it she remained until her death in 1898. at the age of fifty-two years.
Benton States grew to manhood in Missouri. and received his education in the public schools.
His first independent venture was the filing of the claim in Oklahoma upon which his father had previously located. He at once began its systematic improvement, and worked his way up from the bottom round of the ladder to a posi- tion in the community, and a high standing among the agriculturists of the locality. In the winter of 1889 he was selected by the citizens of Lyon valley to open the first schoolhouse in the northern part of Kingfisher, and he taught the school for a four-months' term. His work was so satisfactory that it secured his re-election. and he continued in the same line of work for the four following terms. This was followed by two terms of teaching at Spring Valley. He began teaching on a third-grade certificate, and by dint of study and continued hard work he now has a first-grade certificate, with a general average of ninety-three per cent.
For the last two years Mr. States has devoted his entire time to the improvement of his claim, and to general farming and stock-raising. In politics he is affiliated with the Republican party and has filled several important local offices, in- cluding that of township trustee, and township clerk, each for one term. He was married. in 1897. to Cleo Stout, a former pupil. To this couple have been born two children: Anna G. and Mary Iva. The family are members of the Church of Christ in Christian Union, and Mr. States has for three years been Sunday school superintendent of the Lyon Valley Church. He takes an active part in all religious matters, and is prominently connected with enterprises insti- tuted for the upbuilding of the locality.
S. SIMEON TRACY. Many a man appears to have luck on his side, and, as the wise old saying words it, "it is better to be born lucky than rich." but the pluck that is not dis- mayed at one piece of bad luck after another is best of all, and certainly will win in the end. Thus it will be seen in tracing the history of Mr. Tracy, and no one reading of his struggles against adversity can envy him his well-earned success.
The parents of this gentleman were Vezy and Millie ( Reeves) Tracy. natives of Kentucky. When they were young, however, they became citizens of Montgomery county, Ind., and there passed the remainder of their lives. The young- est of their five children was S. S. Tracy, who was born in Montgomery county December 3. 1860, and when he was only five years old his mother died. The father subsequently married again, and our subject continued to reside under their roof, giving his time and labor to his father. Indeed, he received little besides his living until lie was twenty-five years old, when his father's
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death occurred, and it was found that he had left nothing to the young man.
For two years longer Mr. Tracy remained on the old homestead,. assisting in getting his father's business affairs adjusted, and thus he was fully twenty-seven years old when he went out into the world, empty-handed. Believing that better opportunities are afforded young men in the west, he went to Chautauqua county, Kans .. where he worked by the day or monthi at what- ever he could find to do, whereby he could earn an honest livelihood. Learning of the proposed opening of the fertile territory of Oklahoma to white settlers, he made his plans, and. driving a team for another man, he arrived at the eastern border line to await the hour of the legal "open door." Both he and his employer left the wagons and made the run into the promised land, but neither one was fortunate enough to secure land, and, having returned to their teams, they next tried to obtain a town site in Guthrie. Ar- riving there, they camped, as they supposed, in a street, but it transpired that they were on a lot. and this entitled them to the claim. Not caring for his, as it was not near the center of the town, Mr. Tracy sold his land for $10.
In May, after looking around considerably, he bought his present homestead on the southeast- ern quarter of section 29, township IS. range I west, paying $30 for the same. He had but little money, and for a long time was glad to work for neighbors, in order to have the means for im- proving his farm. He erected a small log cabin, which is yet standing, and which sheltered him for two or more years. As he owned no team, he worked for a farmer when he needed to use a team, and thus took his payment. The first sea- son he planted about twelve acres of land with cotton, which was thriving until a September hail- storm laid it low, so that he obtained only a bale andahalf inreturn for all hislabor. The following year he again raised twelve acres of cotton and also had twenty acres of corn. This time he met with fair success in his undertaking. and, buying a team on time, he harvested his cotton and corn. Thus, beginning in a humble way, he gradually worked his way upward to a competence, and now everything promises well for the future. By diligence and indefatigable labor he has de- veloped his homestead into a neat and attractive country-seat, and his orchards, buildings and iences are well kept. For a period his family dwelt in a humble dug-out, but in 1897 they took up their abode in a substantial frame house, 14x 16 feet in dimensions.
On Christmas day, 1891, Mr. Tracy married Miss Lydia Belle Ellison, of this county. She is a native of Lincoln county, Neb., and is a daughter of Marion E. and Mary (Bohm Elli- son, who have been residents of this territory
since 1889. The four children who bless the union of our subject and wife are named, respect- ively: Sumner, Millie, Lillie and Dewey.
Politically Mr. Tracy is a Democrat, but finds little time for public affairs, save to perform his full duty as a citizen. He is a member of the Christian Church, and his wife and children are regular attendants upon the services at the local organization of this religious body.
W TILLIAM THOMSON. Upon his finely improved and well-conducted farm, lo- cated on the southeast quarter of section 31, Cimarron township, Kingfisher county, Mr. Thomson has, in a measure, reaped the reward that follows in the wake of those who are indus- trious, enterprising, and who use practical com- mon sense in dealing with the every-day prob- lems of life. He has known how to take advan- tage of the splendid opportunities in the new ter- ritory, and has thus turned them to the best possible advantage. His farm is second to none in the locality; the homelike aspect produced by the prevailing air of neatness and thrift, and the finely constructed house, with its comfortable and modern furnishings, contribute, not only to the satisfaction of those who are privileged to make it their home, but appeal as well to the credit of the community at large.
The Thomson family is 'of Scotch descent. William Thomson was born in Peoria county, 111., October 12. 1850, and is a son of Thomas and Margaret (Cation) Thomson, born, respect- ively, in Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland. Thomas Thomson canie to the United States in 1830, settling in Illinois, where he spent the re- mainder of his life. He was a general farmer and plasterer by trade, and a successful man in the carrying out of his occupations. His farm was extremely wild when he first purchased it, and there were but a few houses between his home in Peoria county and Chicago. He died at the age of fifty-nine years. To Mr. and Mrs. Thom- son were born eleven children, of whom the fol- lowing survive: Margaret, the wife of Matthew Murdock, of Logan county, Okla .; Elizabeth. who is married to W. H. Cornwell, of Pontiac. Ill .: William: Agnes, now Mrs. James Baxter: David, who lives at Storm Lake, Iowa: Samuel. living in Chicago: John, and Thomas, who live in Garfield county, Okla. The mother is living with her son John in Garfield county. The ma- ternal grandfather, William Cation, came from Scotland to the United States in 1830. and settled near Peoria, IL., where he spent the remainder of his life, and died at the age of seventy-five years. He married Margaret Paul in Scotland. and to them were born eight children, four of whom are living: Mrs. Thomson; James, who is
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