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 86
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Socially the doctor is well liked, and has made hosts of warm friends wherever he has dwelt. He belongs to the Odd Fellows order and to the Woodmen of the World. In the spring of 1900 he built a pretty, commodious residence in Mun- ger, thus manifesting the confidence which he has in the future of the infant town. Eight years ago his marriage to Miss Della Reed took place in this locality, and their union has been blessed with two children, namely, Willie and Ruby.
J JOHN B. LINDEN is a citizen from other shores who is deserving of great credit for his rapid advancement in America, and who has elicited the practical appreciation of his fel- low townsmen for his valuable and disinterested services in the cause of the public good.
A native of Vermland City, Arvike, Sweden, Mr. Linden was born November 4. 1867, and is a son of Christopher and Martha Linden, who were born in Sweden. The family is an old and honorable one, many of their members being prominent tillers of the soil, and active in other
lines for the improvement of their country and locality. Christopher Linden and his wife were industrious farmers and died in their native land, the former at the age of fifty-five years. They were active members of the Lutheran Church. Of their ten children eight are living, six being in Sweden and two in America, Jolin B., and Godfrey, who is a furniture dealer and under- taker in Duluth, Minn.
The early days of John B. Linden were fash- ioned somewhat on romantic and adventurous lines, and indicated the spirit of independence and enterprise which have since been materially developed. At the early age of fourteen the boundaries of Sweden were altogether too cir- cumscribed for the far-seeing gaze of this ambi- tious youth, and the routine at the district . schools much too confining for a restless nature. To counteract these deficiencies he planned a trip to America, in company with two cousins, and, before leaving on his extended journey, neglected the formality of mentioning his plans to either parents or school teacher. They crossed Bohus Bay to Christiansend and took the steamer for Liverpool, via Hull, making the long journey across the Atlantic on the steamier Alaska. Ar- riving in America, John B. found himself with- out friends or prospects and with very little money, but managed to get as far as Topeka, Kans., where he found employment with the Santa Fe Railroad Company. After a time he entered the shops of the railroad and remained there until 1886, after which he engaged as a clerk in Topeka, and at the same time attended night school. He fitted himself for a future busi- ness life by taking a course in bookkeeping and commercial law.
During November of 1889 Mr. Linden came to Hennessey, Okla., and was in the employ of the Rock Island Railroad as foreman of the section until the spring of 1891, when he re- signed and settled in Dover. Until the opening of the strip he engaged in clerking and general merchandising for A. II. Drew, and then re- moved to Waukomis, where he opened the first store in the place. At the same time he took a claim of one hundred and sixty acres, which, after proving up. he sold. In 1898 he was nom- inated for county treasurer on the Republican ticket and elected by four hundred majority, taking the oath of office in January of 1899. He removed immediately to Enid, where he bought property, and where he has since continued to reside. He was re-elected to his present office November 6, 1900.
In Waukomis Mr. Linden married Jessie Creamer, who was born in Meadville, Mo .. and is a daughter of David M. Creamer, a harness- maker, of Waukomis. Of this union there are two children. Doris and Kennethi.
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Mr. Linden bears the distinction of being the first Swedish citizen of Oklahoma to be elected to a county office. Fraternally he is associated with Enid Lodge No. 19, A. F. & A. M., of Enid; also the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Kingfisher, and is a past officer of the Encamp- ment ; he is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, at Waukomis. With his family, he is an ardent worker in the Lutheran Church and contributes generously toward its maintenance. He is a member of the Commer- cial Club at Enid, and was one of the organizers of the same.
W STORY SHERMAN, whose active life has been devoted to the electrical busi- ness, was the organizer of the El Reno Electric Light and Telephone Company. of which he is now secretary and manager.
Mr. Sherman was born in Boston, Mass., No- vember 22, 1867, and is a son of A. F. and Mary (Story) Sherman. His grandfather was born in Massachusetts, and came from an old family of that state. A. F. Sherman was born in Boston, and was a rope manufacturer, an inventor of considerable prominence, a civil engineer and master mechanic. For forty-seven years he was with the Sewall & Day Cordage. Company, and invented nearly all the machinery used in that plant. He invented some of the first machinery for rope manufacture used in the plant. His entire life was spent at Boston, where he died at the age of seventy years. He married Mary Story, who was born near Liverpool, England. Her parents moved to Buenos Ayres, Argentine Republic. and her father was engaged in the building of gas plants. She now resides in Bos. ton and has four living children: Helen M., of Boston; M. H. D., who is engineer on a railroad at Fresno, Cal .: William Story; and L. Grace of Boston.
W. Story Sherman was reared in West Rox. bury, a suburb of Boston, and attended the pub - lic schools and Elliott Academy, from which he was. graduated. In 1885 he entered the employ of the Boston Edison Company, at a time when electric lighting first came into use. He was with thein from the start, first in the construc- tion department, then in the lamp and erecting departments, and finally in the operating depart- ments as electrician. His position was one of great responsibility, as the plant had become very large .. In 1804 he resigned and came to El Reno, organizing the El Reno Electric Light and Telephone Company, with himself as presi- dent and manager. He obtained a charter and sixty days later began the construction of his plant. January 8, 1895, he began to supply lights, and the success with which he met ren-
dered it necessary to enlarge his plant. He put in a new Corliss engine and two dynamos, and has a capacity of 2,500 incandescent lights and sixty arc lights. The officers of the company are: S. R. Sherman (our subject's wife), presi- dent, and W. S. Sherman, secretary and man- ager.
Mr. Sherman was united in marriage, at De- troit, with Sarah Ramsey, who was born at Port Huron, Mich., and is a daughter of Sam- uel Ramsey, who died in Michigan. Mr. Sher- man was made a Mason in Grand Rapids, Mich .. belonging to Grand River Lodge No. 34. He is a member of the chapter at El Reno; Ascension Commandery No. 3, and India Temple, N. M. S., . at Oklahoma City. Formerly he was a member of the Odd Fellows and the Encampment. Re- ligiously he is connected with the Congrega- tional Church. In his political belief he is a Republican. He is a member of the El Reno Club. With two others he started the first cot- ton gin at El Reno, which is operated under the name of El Reno Gin Company.
D ANIEL BOONE WATTS is considered one of the successful agriculturists of Lo- gan county. His claim is located on sec- tion 4. township 17, range 2 west. He was born in Putnam county, Ind., in May, 1846, and is a son of Silas and Susan (Fritts) Watts, natives of Clark county, Ky. As children they were reared in Kentucky, married there, and removed to In- diana at a very early day. His father was a gen- eral farmer, and a preacher of force and conviction, whose words were eagerly listened to by the pioneers of that early time.
It is needless to say that Daniel Watts was reared among refined and elevating influences. That he received a good education is due more to his father's teaching than to the excellence of the schools in the neighborhood. At the age of seventeen he enlisted in Company A. Twenty- seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was with Sher- man from Nashville to Atlanta and the sea. Par- ticipating in seven regular engagements, he for- tunately escaped many of the trials incident to war, the only setback being a month's detention in a hospital at Newbern, N. C. He took part in the grand review at Washington, and was honor- ably discharged August 5. 1865.
Upon his return to Indiana Mr. Watts re- mained there but a short time. After a trial of Kansas life and soil he went to Estill county. Ky., and engaged in plastering for about a year. There he married Sarah S. Wills, who died in 1895, leaving six children. After his marriage Mr. Watts spent a year in Indiana, and then re- turned to Kentucky for three years. In 1872 he
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removed to Sedgwick county. Kans., and bought land, upon which he lived until 1889, when he joined the fortune-seekers in the trip to Okla- homa. He was fortunate in securing a claim, to which he has from time to time added, improv- ing the same and bringing it to a high state of cultivation.
December 27, 1896, Mr. Watts married Mrs. - less severe skirmishes with Quantrell, the Nancy C. Herrod, a daughter of John W. and Rachel (Wantland) Beasley. She was born in Marion county, Ill .. and received a fair com- mon-school education. Her father died in Illi- nois, and when she was twenty-two years old she went to Cowley county. Kans., where she met her first husband, Theodore Herrod. Of this union there were two children. Mr. and Mrs. Herrod came to Oklahoma in 1880, set- tling on section 3. township 17, range 2 west. Mr. Herrod died October 5. 1895.
Mr. Watts has never been a politician. He cast his first vote for Cleveland at the time of his first election, since which time he has voted the Populist ticket. In 1894 he was the nommee of his party in the county for treasurer.
T HEODORE EMANUEL ZINGRE has risen to a position of wealth and promi- nence in his community by the exercise of his native talents, for he had no fortunate en- vironments and has been obliged to work out his own fortune by the hardest toil. He is a son of John Zingre, and was born in Zweisimmen, Canton Berne, Switzerland, May 12, 1837. His father died when the son was four years old, and the mother afterward married again. The step- father was kind to the child and gave him fair advantages in an educational way. When he had reached a state of proficiency in the general lines of study the young man was admitted to Geneva College, and continued his systematic work there until he was graduated.
In 1855 Theodore E. Zingre came to the United States, and, going to New Orleans, pro- ceeded up the river to Nauvoo, Ill., where his brother. Dr. John Zingre, was engaged in the practice of medicine. With his characteristic ambition, our subject attended the local school in winter, in order to perfect himself in the Eng- lish language, and during the rest of the year devoted his attention to medical work. under the guidance of his brother. On the 13th of June. 1861, he volunteered in the defense of the land of his adoption, and for three years and three months served in Company C, First Iowa Cav- alry. Owing to his knowledge of the healing art he was detailed for hospital service, and soon was promoted from the post of nurse to that of. hospital steward, being placed in charge of the hospital at Bloomfield, Mo. He soon was trans-
ferred to other points, where he was more needed, and continued to be employed in the regimental hospital at Little Rock, Ark., and elsewhere. Under the leadership of General Steele he went on the Red River expedition, and, when following the border of Kansas and Missouri, the regiment had a number of more or "James boys" and other bands of guerrillas.
In September, 1864, Dr. Zingre was honor- ably discharged from the army and returned to the home of his brother in Illinois. During the following winter he attended lectures in the medical college of the Iowa University, at Keo- kuk, Iowa, and after his graduation opened an · office in Nebraska. In 1868 he became a resi- dent of Saunders county, Neb .. and thus was one of its pioneers. He remained there nearly a quarter of a century, and, as the country in- creased in population and prosperity, he became interested in farming and kindred pursuits. At different times he made investments in land, and at length owned and operated three hundred and twenty acres. In the early days of his residence in the state he lived in a sod-house, as most of the people did, but soon this was a thing of the past, and increasing prosperity brought attend- ant comforts and improvements on the farm. He developed it into a model country-seat, and in 1892 disposed of the place for $5,600.
Coming to Oklahoma county, Dr. Zingre pur- chased the homestead on the southeast quarter of section 23, township 13. range 2 west, which had been improved by Dr. Copeland, paying therefor $4.200. He has diligently carried on the works already instituted, and has made ditches and put up fences, and enlarged the house, besides setting out a good orchard and vineyard. His judicious expenditure of money and labor has increased the value of the place to $6,coo, for the soil is rich bottom land and highly productive. During the Leiter "corner" in wheat the doctor soll his crop in Oklahoma City from eighty to ninety cents per bushel, and thus his net returns were fully $2,000. From one hundred acres he harvested twenty-eight hundred bushels of wheat in 1900, and this is a f: ir general average of late years.
In 1874 Dr. Zingre married Philura Bissell. of Valparaiso, Ind., and on the 23d of May. 1899. their happy wedded life was brought to a close by the death of the devoted wife, who had loy- ally cheered and aided her husband in all of his reverses and enterprises. She left four children to mourn the loss of a loving mother, namely: Sarah B .: Josie, wife of William Sprague, of Edmond. Okla .; Carrie, wife of John Oney, of this county: and Mamie, who is a graduate of the Edmond Normal school, and is now Mrs. Lewis Albert Ferrel, of Chandler.
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Dr. Zingre takes a deep interest in local af- fairs, and while a resident of Saunders county, Neb., was influential in placing the county upon a safe and prosperous basis. His means and influence always have been relied upon in the support of schools and worthy enterprises, and for some tinie he has been a member of the board of education in Hartzell township. Politically he was formerly identified with the Democratic party, but at this writing is an advocate of Pop- ulistic principles.
E BENEZER FLEMING ARNETT. The attractive and well-cultivated farm owned by E. F. Arnett is located in the south- eastern quarter of section 25. township 16, range 3 west, Logan county. He is a native of Perry county, Ill., born July 19, 1829, near Pinckney- ville, and is a son of honored pioneers of the Prairie state. His parents, William and Zibetha (Piatt) Arnett, were natives of Tennessee, and when they were children they accompanied their respected parents to Illinois. Piatt county was named in honor of our subject's maternal grandfather, Ebenezer Piatt, who was one of the first white settlers of that region. William Arnett removed from Perry to Jackson county. Ill., when our subject was six years old, and there he entered a homestead from the government, and within a few years cleared and improved it. Later he became a resi- dent of Kansas, and passed his remaining years in that state.
Ebenezer Fleming Arnett learned the details of agriculture in his boyhood and obtained a good general education. During the troublous period in Kansas prior to the Civil war, he was in that state. He was a personal friend of Lane, and was present on the occasion when William, son of the patriot John Brown, was killed. In June. 1861. he enlisted from Cass county, Mo., in Company C. Second Battalion, Seventh Mis- souri Cavalry, and under the leadership of Gen- eral Siegel served in the capacity of a scout on a campaign through Missouri. For about eleven months he was in the regular service and subsequently was on detached duty, employed in carrying despatches. It so happened that he was not present at the time that his comrades were mustered out of the service, and it was not until about thirty years afterwards that he re- ceived his honorable discharge documents.
When his country no longer required his serv- ices, Mr. Arnett went to Anderson county. Kans., where he soon was united in marriage to Marinda Rumbley, a native of Union county, Ill., and an early friend and schoolmate. This worthy couple became the parents of six chil- dren, of whom the eldest, Lucien, is married
and resides in Miami county, Kans .; while Edward, the second son, also a married man, lives in Garfield county, Kans. Harmon, the third son, is the head of a family and is num- bered among the farmers of this vicinity, his land adjoining his father's property. Kate, wife of Edgar Harris, and Grace, Mrs. Millard Lesser, live in this territory. Addie, the young- est of the family, is the wife of Samuel Swanson, and still resides at home with her parents.
For a number of years subsequent to his mar- riage, Mr. Arnett dwelt in Putnam county, Mo .. where he owned a good farm, and later he culti- vated a farm in Cass county, same state, for a few years. Then, purchasing eighty acres of land in Greenwood county, Kans., he continued to make his home there until 1891, when he came to Oklahoma and bought his present country seat, upon which he has instituted valuable im- provements.
Ever since he first voted in a presidential elec- tion, which was in 1864, when his ballot was loyally cast for Lincoln, Mr. Arnett has stood by the Republican party. He has not been an indifferent looker-on, but has been active in the campaigns, and has attended numerous conven- tions in the capacity of a delegate. In 1896 he was honored by being the choice of the people for the office of county coroner. and again, in 1898, he was elected to this position, in which he has given satisfaction. He was formerly a member of the United Brethren denomination. and a few years ago was licensed as an exhorter. He is now affiliated with the Methodist Church, as is also his wife.
J AMES ALFRED YOUNG. By enterprise and good management, James A. Young. of Council Grove township. Oklahoma county, has become well-to-do and an influential factor in his locality within a few years. He is greatly concerned in everything pertaining to the success of Oklahoma, and strives to perform his full share in its upbuilding.
Alfred. father of J. A. Young, was a native of Tennessee, but in early manhood he went to Missouri, and in Jackson county married one of its native daughters. Jane Mondy. In 1856 the couple moved to Doniphan county, Kans., and. under the old law, became the owners of a farm, purchased from the government at a sale, where the highest bid was accepted. The father died in the opening year of the Civil war, and the mother survived him but three years. Their seven children remained on the homestead until 1871, when the estate was apportioned to them. and they separated. to make their independent way in the world.
James Alfred Young was born in Holt county,
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Mo., April 24, 1851, and most of his early years were passed in Doniphan county, Kans. Ar- rived at man's estate, he went to Sumner county, Kans., where he pre-empted a quarter section of land, and, during the eighteen years that fol- lowed, industriously cultivated and improved his property, which was made to produce a good livelihood for the family. The superior natural advantages of Oklahoma having become known to him, Mr. Young was ready to make the run into this locality when it was opened to the pub- lic. He failed to secure a farm, but in August, 1889, purchased the property where he has since resided, and in the years which have passed has made a fine country home here. He has raised forty bushels of wheat to the acre several sea- sons, and has been equally successful in the rais- ing of cattle and hogs. A convenient, modern house, erected recently: substantial barns and fences, a good orchard, with a variety of fruit, and other improvements, make this a very desir- able farm. Becoming more ambitious. Mr. Young concluded to invest his surplus funds in addi- tional land, and accordingly purchased one hun- dred and twenty acres of the military reserve, thus extending the boundaries of his farm to two hundred and eighty acres, and all of this is now under cultivation or in use as pasture land.
In 1879 Mr. Young married Mary, daughter of Vaclaf (James) and Catherine (Herman) Som- ers, of Oxford. Sumner county, Kans. The pa- rents were natives of Bohemia, but Mrs. Young was born in the United States and was educated in our public schools. Four children blessed the union of our subject and wife, but the first-born, Roy O., is deceased. The others, Merle M .. Jessie O. and Carrie E., reside under the parental roof, and are interested in the progress of this territory. The family attends religious worship at the Christian Church, with which Mrs. Young holds fellowship. Mr. Young has always sus- tained the Democratic party with his vote.
J OHN BENNETT, one of the most enter- prising and aggressive business men of Oklahoma county, has been the architect of his own fortunes, and is entitled to great credit for the patriotic part he has played in the pio- neer days of this region. Many invaluable les- sons may be gained by observing his methods of condneting his business affairs, and his exam- ple may well serve as an inspiration to the rising generation.
The life of John Bennett has been far from monotonons, as he has dwelt in different parts of the Union, and is familiar with the characteris- tics of the people of many sections. Ilis birth took place in Trenton, N. J., October 20. 1857. and, as his father, Michael Bennett, was engaged
in taking and executing railroad contracts, wher- ever railroads were being constructed, his fam- ily accompanied him. Sharing the vicissitudes of his father's fortune, our subject grew to man- hood, his life being spent chiefly in the states of Illinois, Iowa and Kansas. In the excellent pub- lic schools of Des Moines, Iowa, he obtained a practical business education, and by subsequent observation and experience has widened the field of his knowledge.
While a member of the parental household, young Bennett received his first lessons in busi- ness, and for some time was associated with his father in contract work for railroads. He later accepted a position as foreman for another con- tractor, and while thus employed saved a por- tion of his earnings, with the purpose of invest- ing it when a favorable opportunity presented itself. In 1874 he purchased a farm situated in Pottawatomie county, Kans., and for the ensuing fifteen years devoted his attention to the cultiva- tion of the place, while at the same time he was engaged in railroad work. Meeting with the success which he deserved, he resisted all temp- tations to make a change of location, until, in 1891, the superior claims of Oklahoma appealed to him, and he decided to cast in his lot with the people of this favored territory.
Naturally, the property which Mr. Bennett selected was chosen with a view to its fertility and location in the rich valley of the North Ca- nadian river, and. as might be expected, he found a disputant to his claim. Norman Yowell, the gentleman in question. was decided against finally by the secretary of the interior, though three years of weary litigation had to be passed through first. In addition to the quarter-section of land which thus became Mr. Bennett's, he is now the owner of another tract of almost two hundred acres. all productive, valuable property. He has been especially successful in raising and feeding cattle, horses, mules and hogs for the markets, his shipments being mostly to Kansas City. At present he has a large herd of cattle and three hundred hogs on his farm, besides other live stock. He has placed one hundred . and fifty-five acres under the plow, and reaps a splendid harvest of wheat each year. A well- kept orchard and vineyard usually bring a good income to the owner, and an abundance of tim- ber and pure water add much to the value of the place. This land is located within what is termed the "nine-mile flat"-considered an espe- cially desirable part of Springer township, and, indeed, of the whole North Canadian river bot- toms.
While living in Pottawatomie county, Kans., Mr. Bennett was united in marriage to Miss Mary Obert, of that locality, and in all of his efforts to win a competence she has been a faith-
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ful helpmate, loyally sharing his sorrows and anxieties. Both are interested in whatever makes for the welfare of their community, and wherever they have lived they have enjoyed the friendship and sincere respect of all who knew them.
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