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 75
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HENRY SCHAFER, El Reno.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Ch 485
availin ; himself of the opportunities offered at the dis rict schools. The elder Daniels was also engaged in running a flour mill located on Files creek, and his son in time became a practical miller and undertook the care and management of the mill. August 19, 1880, he went to Dan- ville, Ill., and for five years engaged in the furni- ture business there, continuing the same line of occupation in Wichita, Kans., untit the opening of the Cheyenne and Arapahoe strip in 1893.
In West Virginia Mr. Daniels married Hes- ter E. Crouch, a native of Virginia. Four children have been born to this couple, Ernest H., Forest Edgar, Rebecca Ellen and Delace, who died at the age of eleven years. Mr. Dan- iels is variously associated with the affairs of his town, and has evinced his enterprise and public- spirited interest in numerous ways. In national politics he is associated with the Democratic party, but has never entertained political aspira- tions. Fraternally he is a member of the Wood- men of the World and the Knights of Pythias, Uniform Rank. He is a charter member and vice-president of the Funeral Directors' Asso- ciation of Oklahoma. In 1899 he took as a part- ner V. E. Kirven, since which the business has been conducted under the firm name of the Enid Furniture Company.
H ENRY SCHAFER, who has made El Reno his home since 1890, was born in Lippe- Detmold, Germany, February 12, 1869, a son of Henry and Wilhelmina (Heismann) Scha- fer, also natives of Lippe-Detmold. His father, the son of Conrad Schafer, a contractor and . the capacity of sheriff of Butler county, Neb., builder, at an early age acquired a thorough knowledge of that occupation, which he followed throughout life. He married a daughter of Simon Heismann, a stone cutter and builder. Both were faithful Lutherans. They were the parents of three sons and one daughter, all of whom are living but one son.
When Henry Schafer was a child of six years his father died. In 1879 he accompanied his mother and stepfather to America and settled with them at Lecompton, Douglas county, Kans., where his mother died in 1884. He then worked on a farm for his guardian at Deer Creek, the same county, for two and one-half years, after which he worked for a Mr. Young near Lecompton. In the spring of 1890 he came to Oklahoma and settled in El Reno. Two years later he took a claim in the Chicago & Rock Island country, five miles southwest of El Reno, and this land he operated for nine montlis, after which he sold it. In December, 1893, he started in business on Bickford and Russell streets. where he has since carried on a large wholesale and retail liquor trade. In April, 1899, he be-
came agent for the Pabst Brewing Company, whom he has since represented at this point. Ile has a large storage house, with a capacity of three cars. In addition he is a stockholder in the El Reno Compress Company, of which he is now vice-president and a director. He owns the district court building, which is two stories high and 50x108 feet in dimensions. He is a member of the Territorial Liquor Dealers Association.
In El Reno Mr. Schafer married Miss Mar- gareta Paulsen, who was born in Schleswig- Holstein, and at nine years of age accompanied her parents to America, settling with them first in Nebraska and later in Norton county, Kans., thence coming to El Reno in 1893. Mr. Schafer has one child, Harry. Politically he is a Demo- crat; in religion, a Lutheran; and fraternally, a member of Lodge No. 7, I. O. O. F., at El Reno; Red Cloud Tribe No. 3, I. O. R. M .; and the Sons of Herman, of which he has been vice- president.
J AMES FENLON, now serving as a member of the city council of Enid, has held numer- ous responsible public positions in the past, and has acquitted himself with great credit in every instance. He is very popular in Demo- cratic circles, and neglects no opportunity of advancing the interests of his party. In 1898 he was elected to represent the first ward of this city in the council, and has since been a member of several committees, among others, those hay- ing in charge streets and alleys, finances and light and water. From 1882 to ISSS he served in being elected for three successive terms, a fact which, in itself, speaks well for his efficiency and the appreciation of his fellow-citizens. In the spring of 1893, when he was a resident of King- fisher county, Okla., he was appointed as a mem- ber of the Watonga township board, and served with that body of officials until he changed his home.
The paternal ancestors of our subject were natives of Ireland. His father, Nicholas Fenlon. was born in Carlo, Ireland, and was a lad of twelve years when he accompanied his father, Patrick Fenlon, to America. They settled in Laona township. Winnebago county, Ill., as early as 1835, thus becoming pioneers of that sparsely populated region. They operated farms situated on Sugar river, and gradually accumu- lated considerable property, being accounted wealthy at that period. Nicholas Fenlon was one of the higlily esteemed citizens of the vicin- ity, and was known far and near. In 1870 he re- moved to David City, Butler county, Neb .. where he owned and managed a large farm until shortly before his death, which event occurred
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
in 1892. IIe is survived by his wife, who resides in Nebraska. She bore the maiden name of Mary Keagan, and was born in New Jersey, whence she removed to Stephenson county, Ill., with her parents, locating in Rock Grove town- ship. Of her thirteen children, six sons and two daughters are living, most of them making their homes in Nebraska.
Born April 10, 1856, on his father's farm, near Rockford, Ill., James Fenlon learned the details of agriculture in his youth, and became strong and vigorous in mind and body. In 1870 he went to Nebraska, and at eighteen commenced learning the blacksmith's trade at David City, which calling he followed for several years there. After the years which he devoted to the public as a sheriff he turned his attention to the agri- cultural implement business, and in the spring of 1893 came to this territory. He remained a few months only in Kingfisher county, and on September 16 came to Enid. Locating a claim to which other persons apparently were deemed to have a better right, he lost the property, and soon established a blacksmith shop in Enid. Here he has had plenty of employment and gives special attention to the wagon and carriage business, which he conducts in connection with his smithy.
In David City Mr. Fenlon married Miss Helen Cavanaugh, who died in IS91. The only son of this estimable couple, Ray, died at the age of four years, and their only daughter, Katie, is in her twelfth year and is her father's pride and companion.
A NDREW WILLIAM GILLESPIE. a
member of the firm of Gillespie Brothers. of Enid, is an enterprising young business man of this place, to whose prosperity he has materially contributed. He is a native of Cam- bria county, Pa., born in 1863. His father, An- drew Gillespie, was one of the heroes of the Federal army, his service for the Union being with Company C, Twenty-second Pennsylvania Infantry. He was employed by the Pennsylva- nia Central Railroad Company for many years, but in 1877 came to the west. and for three years engaged in farming in Guthrie and Audubon counties, Iowa. In ISSo he located in Thomas county, Kans., where he conducted a livery busi- ness until recently, then retiring and coming to Enid, where he is making his home. He is an honored member of the Grand Army of the Re- public, and has loyally supported the rights and institutions of his country in peace and in war. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Gillen. also is living, and six of their nine children sur- vive. Edward is a resident of Geary, Okla .: Hugh lives in Durango, Colo .: Annie in Helena,
Mont .; Alice in Enid; and Andrew W. and John WV. are in partnership in Enid.
In his boyhood A. W. Gillespie pursued his studies in the public schools of his native state and Iowa. In 1880 he accompanied his father to Thomas county, Kans., and there he embarked in the live stock business. Four years afterward he and his brother, J. W., went to Denver, where he was employed as a conductor on the cable street car lines for a period. When Garfield county was opened they came to Enid on a train and purchased some lots in the town. Since that time they have dealt in real estate and have erected both residences and business blocks. They built the first cotton-gin in the strip, and are still managing it, having increased its capac- ity to meet the requirements of their extensive business. The growing of cotton is rapidly be- coming widespread in Garfield county, and is a source of great wealth to this locality. Broom corn is another gold mine, as it might be termed. and the brothers deal in this product also, ship- ping to many points in the east and west. Per- sonally, our subject is the owner of eighty acres of land. adjoining Enid on the north, and here he has built one of the finest modern residences in the city. He pays considerable attention to the management of his farm and raises a high grade of Hereford cattle and hogs.
The marriage of Mr. Gillespie and Miss An- nie Dolan took place in Enid in 1898. She is a native of Genoa, Neb., and by her marriage is the mother of two sons, named, respectively, Dewey and John.
Like many of the leading business men of .Enid, Mr. Gillespie has given his influence to the Garfield County Fair Association, and is: connected with the Enid Commercial Club, of the latter being a charter member. He is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Enid Lodge No. 19, of which he is past noble grand, and he also is a member of the Encampment. In national poli- ties he is a stanch friend to the Republican party.
J UDGE GEORGE S. GREEN. One of Guthrie's most distinguished citizens is Judge George S. Green, whose career at the bar has'been of exceptional honor and achieve- ment, and who, in the field of statesmanship, no less than on scores of southern battle-fields. proved his patriotism and valor and his devotion to his country's welfare. A review of his history cannot fail to interest his numerous friends and admirers, and his example is well worthy of be- ing emulated by the rising generation.
In the person of Judge Green two old and honored families, one of the north and the other of the south, are united. His grandfather, Ne- hemiah Green, a native of Rhode Island, came
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
of one of the , long-established families in that state, while the maternal grandfather, William Fisher, of Virginia, represented a respected old family of that locality. The former, who was a soldier in the war of 1812, became one of the early settlers of Washington county, Pa., and later removed to Olio, where he died. The maternal grandfather also was one of the pio- neers of the Buckeye state, his home being near Chillicothe, Ross county, and death overtook him in Logan county, Ohio.
The parents of the Judge were Shepherd and Mary (Fisher) Green, the former a native of Washington county. Pa., and the latter of the neighborhood of Fairfax Courthouse, Va. At an early day Mr. Green engaged in clearing and developing a farm near Kenton, Ohio, and he died when in his seventy-third year, near Belle- fontaine, same state. The wife and mother de- parted this life near East Liberty, Ohio, at the age of forty-five years. Of their nine children, who attained maturity, only two survive. Five of the sons served the Union during the Civil war, and one of the number was called upon to lay down his life for his country. Dr. William F. Green, now a resident of Nashville, Tenn., was a surgeon of the First East Tennessee Cav- alry. Lewis F. Green, who was a captain of Company B, Eleventh Kansas Volunteers, later was engaged in farming and died in Texas. Ne- hemiah Green, who served as a first lieutenant of Company B of the Eighty-ninth Ohio Infantry, and later was sergeant-major of the One Hun- dred and Fifty-fourth Ohio, subsequently, in 1866, became lieutenant-governor of Kansas, in which state his death took place in 1890. Shep- herd Green, who was captain of the Forty-ninth Ohio, was killed at Duck River, Tenn .. Novem- ber 26, 1864.
Judge George S. Green, whose birth occurred near Kenton, Ohio, December 16, 1845, was, con- sequently, only fifteen and a half years old when, in August. 1861. he enlisted to defend the Union. He was mustered into Company C. Seventeenth Ohio Volunteers, at Camp Dennison September 12, and was not mustered out of the service until July, 1865, when his country no longer needed the youthful patriot. His army life, which in- cluded some of the most important military cam- paigns, was borne with a bravery and courage which inspired every one associated with him, and the mere mention of some of the great and hard-fought battles in which he took part indi- cates his hardihood and fidelity. They are as follows: Wildcat (Ky.), Mill Springs, Shiloh, Corinth, Perryville, Stone River, Hoover's Gap, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge. Resaca. Dal- las, Big Shanty. Kenesaw, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station, Waynes- boro, McAllister, Bentonville, Goldsboro, the
taking of Raleigh and the march to Richmond. Finally he veteranized, and at Washington, when the war was over, he participated in the Grand Review-one of the most thrilling spectacles this land has ever witnessed. -
Returning to the home of his boyhood, George S. Green resumed the interrupted studies and routine of life he had pursued prior to the war. Entering the Ohio University at Athens, the oldest institution of learning west of the Al- leghenies, he remained there until he reached his junior year, when he came to the West to earn liis own livelihood. It was in 1867 that he commenced the study of law with Judge James Humphrey, of Manhattan, Kans., and in March, 1870, he was admitted to the bar and opened an office. For twenty years he was actively engaged in practice in Manhattan, and in the meanwhile, from 1870 to 1873, served as county attorney. His genius was recognized early in his career, and in 1881 he was elected as a representative to the Kansas legislature, where he served the peo- ple for four years, and then was further honored by them, as he was their choice for state senator in 1885, and was a member of the higher house until 1889. In 1890 he was appointed associate judge of the supreme court of the state, by Gov- ernor L. U. Humphrey, and acted as such until March, 1893. During this period he also occu- pied a position in the faculty of the law depart- ment of the University of Kansas.
When he resigned the duties of the supreme court of Kansas in the spring of 1893. Judge Green came to Guthrie and embarked in prac- tice. Here, as elsewhere, he enjoys an enviable reputation in his profession, and has manifested great interest in local improvement. He is con- nected with the great railroad enterprise, the Indian Territory, Guthrie & Western Railway, which is sure to exert a wide influence on the future of this section of the West. He also be- longs to the Guthrie Commercial Club and the Territorial Bar Association. In 1896 he was appointed regent of the Territorial University by Governor Renfrow, and held that office for two years. He owns several farms in Potta- watomic county, Kans., and has made valuable investments here.
In fraternal circles the Judge stands high, being past master of LaFayette Lodge No. 16, A. F. & A. M., of Manhattan: past grand master of the grand lodge of Kansas: past high priest of Manhattan Chapter No. 14, R. A. M., and past grand high priest of the Grand Chapter of Kansas. He also belonged to Topeka Com- mandery No. 5, K. T .. and now is affiliated with Guthrie Commandery No. I. K. T. For many years he has been active in the Grand Army of the Republic, is past commander of the post at Manhattan, and in 1890 was appointed to serve
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
on General Alger's staff when the general was grand commander of the Grand Army. Polit- ically he is an enthusiastic Republican.
Fo. a wife Judge Green chose Miss Nannie McClung, of Manhattan. She was born in Ohio, a daughter of Robert McClung, who settled near Manhattan in 1868. Mrs. Green died in Man- hattan in March. 1894, and left four children, namely: Charles S., a farmer of Pottawatomie county, Kans .; Helen L., who is a graduate of Bethany College, Topeka; George M., who is an attorney of Guthrie; and Fred W., a member of the Guthrie high school class of 1900. Judge Green is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is one of the trustees of the local congregation.
F RED LUFT. Germany is continually con- tributing brave and patriotic citizens to the United States, and one of the best she gave to us in 1884 is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He is much like the native-born American in this particular, that ile readily adapts himself to new circumstances and sur- roundings, and in our republic, as every ob- server knows, this is a very important factor in success. He is proving himself a worthy citizen of the land of his choice, and loyally defends our laws and institutions.
William, father of Fred Luft, was born and spent his entire life in Westphalia, for years holding the important position of weigh-master at the great salt works near the city of Werl, Germany. He served his allotted time in the army in his early manhood, according to the law of the land, and during the Franco-Prussian war he was a soldier in the ranks. His wife, the mother of our subject. died when the latter was only eighteen months old. His brother, Peter, the only near relative remaining, is a tailor by trade, and is pursuing his calling in his native city, Werl.
The birth of Fred Luft occurred August 27, 1866, in the same city, and when of a suitable age lie entered the public schools, where he ob- tained a liberal education in his mother tongue. Upon completing the curriculum, he was ap- prenticed to the saddler's trade, and spent three years in mastering the business. Becoming a skilled workman, he then found employment in different places in Westphalia, and finally con- cluded to try his fortunes in America. In No- vember, 1884, he sailed from his Fatherland, and soon after reaching the United States lo- cated in St. Louis, where he worked at his trade for eighteen months. Later he was similarly employed at Hermann, Mo., and from 1887 to 1893 carried on a harness shop of his own at Foster, Mo.
On the 16th of September, 1893, Mr. Luft started from Hennessey, Okla., and drove into this county, where he located a claim in the northwestern part of section 27, township 24. range 5 west. With characteristic energy, he commenced to cultivate and improve the prop- erty, making it one of the best farms in the county. In the meantime he also engaged in the harness business at Enid, and, having built a small shop, opened it for local trade on the morning of November 7, 1893. Thus he is the pioneer in his own department in Garfield county, and, indeed, his first competitor within its boundaries came here some years afterwards. By excellent workmanship and by the employ- ment of good material, he won the regard of his customers, and soon built up a large and paying business. When he considered the step advisable, he bought the building on Broadway which he now occupies, and proceeded to equip it in every particular as a first-class harness shop. He makes a specialty of making heavy and light harness, and undoubtedly ranks among the expert workmen of the territory.
In Foster, Mo., Mr. Luft married Miss Mag- gie Pealer, who was born in Illinois. They have five children, named in order of birth as fol- lows: Laura, Lionel. Maud, Gladys and Beulah. Mrs. Luft holds her membership in the Meth- odist Episcopal Church South. In the spring of 1899 Mr. Luft was honored by election to the city council of Enid, representing the third ward. Needless to say, he indorses public improve- ments and progress in every direction. In na- tional politics he is an uncompromising Repub- lican.
T THOMAS B. MORRIS, who is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Cana- dian county, resides upon his farm of one hundred and sixty acres in the northeast quarter of section 31, township 13. range 6 west. his postoffice being El Reno.
Mr. Morris was born near Edinburgh. Scot- land, November 13, 1839, and is a son of Welch and Jeannie ( Bell) Morris. He was about thir- teen years of age when he came to America. first remaining in Ohio for three years, where he was engaged a portion of the time in follow- ing the river. In 1858 he went to Junction City. Kans. When the Civil war broke out, he joined the Kansas Militia, at the same time carrying on a freighiting business across the plains to Fort Larned and Fort Lyons, in which work he ac- cumulated considerable money. In 1866 he crossed the ocean to his native land and attended school in Scotland for two years, returning to America and Junction City after an absence of three years.
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amos, B, Hammer
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
vine 18, 1870, Mr. Morris married Marietta Lowe, who was born near Shelbyville, Ind., and moved to Kansas with her parents in 1869. In 1864 our subject purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Kansas, and after the war he gave one-half of the tract to his brother, keeping eighty acres for himself. Upon his re- turn from abroad, he located upon this prop- erty, and remained thereon until 1895, when he moved to Oklahoma and purchased the place where he now lives. Since then he has added many improvements to the farm, converting it into a first-class estate in every respect.
Mr. and Mrs. Morris became the parents of ten children: Maggie, deceased, who married Chris Madison and had two children, Mamie and Reno; Edward, who lives at home; Annie, who married John Olson and lives in Junction City, Kans .; Arthur, who died at the age of twenty-three years; Harvey, who lives at home; Maud, who died at the age of thirteen months; Welch; Mamie; Jeannie, who died at the age of ten years, and Robert. Mr. Morris is a Re- publican in politics, and voted for Lincoln in 1860. He was reared a Presbyterian. While in Scotland he became a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity and is a Master Mason.
S. R. KEAN has a well managed and success- ful farm on the southwest quarter of section 21, township 23, range 6 west, Garfield county, which he has lived upon since the open- ing of the strip in 1893. His first effort toward improvement was the erection of a box-house 12x16 feet in dimensions, in which he lived until 1900. Since coming to the claim the owner has realized many of his expectations from his farm, and has gained from its occupation all that hard work and close application could command.
Born in Russell county, Ky., February 16, 1850, Mr. Kean is a son of Edward and Priscilla (Dunbar) Kean. His youth was spent on his father's farm in Kentucky, and in 1892 he re- moved to Hennessey, Okla., where he farmed and worked at his trade of carpentering. He had previously married, in Russell county, Frances C. Jackman, who died in Oklahoma April 20. 1894. Five children were born to this couple. three of whom are living, viz .: Edward. Chester, and Sina, who was born November 1, 1889. Liz- zie, the oldest, died in December, 1893, and Sarah Frances died in infancy.
Mr. Kean is deserving of great credit for the headway which he has made in life. His youth was handicapped by lack of educational advan- tages, which, however, has been in a measure counteracted, and to-day he is devoted to the reading of books and periodicals and to the all- around broadening of his knowledge. In the
political world he has found much to occupy his attention, and is interested in all of the undertak- ings of his party. He is a Republican, and dur- ing his residence in Kentucky served as justice of the peace for six years. A remarkable showing is the fact that of all the cases tried by him none was ever appealed, and most of them were set- tled out of court through the medium of com- promise.
Fraternally Mr. Kean is associated with Lodge No. 284, A. F. & A. M., at Jamestown, Russell county, Ky. While living in Kentucky he belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
M AJOR A. B. HAMMER. The life record of Major A. B. Hammer presents many features of special interest, and he has justly earned a distinctive place in the annals of the country for which he fought valiantly in time of war, and to whose prosperity he has always materially contributed.
He is of sturdy old Swiss lineage, his grand- father, Capt. Bascom Hammer, having emi- grated from Berne, Switzerland, prior to the Revolutionary war in America, in which con- flict he won his title while serving on the staff of General Green. He accompanied Barons DeKalb and Steuben to this country with the express purpose of fighting for the rights of the American colonies in its initial war with the mother country. Lucian Hammer, the cousin of our subject's father, was the president of Swit- zerland from 1880 to 1882. Subsequent to the Revolution, Captain Hammer settled in the Cumberland Valley, Pa., and later located in Shenandoah Valley, Va. For a period he owned slaves, as was customary in the Old Dominion. but he became a thorough abolitionist in prin- ciple and set his slaves free. He then removed to Monongalia county, W. Va., and there car- ried on a fine large farm. He attained the ex- treme age of ninety-six years, and his son Jo- seph, now in his eighty-ninth year, is hale and hearty. He served in the Civil war as a member of the Eighth Illinois.
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