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. 2 > Part 35
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F RANK MACH, who owns and operates an elevator in Oklahoma City, is the oldest grain man in Oklahoma, and has an ex- ceptionally large business. Mr. Mach was born near Prague, Austria, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Mares) Mach. His great-grand- father came from Prussia and located on the Bohemia line. Joseph Mach was born on the line between Bohemia and Germany, and moved to the vicinity of Prague, where he engaged in farming until his death, at the age of sixty-two years. He was of the Lutheran faith. His wife, who was born in the same vicinity as himself, was a daughter of Paul Mares, a farmer and ho- tel man, and a soldier in the Austrian army. Mrs. Mach is now sixty-six years old and re- sides on the old homestead in Bohemia. Six children blessed their home, of whom four are now living, three sons and one daughter. Two sons, our subject and his brother, Gustav, came to this country, and both are located at Okla- homa City.
Frank Mach was born August 27, 1857, and was reared on the home farm until his sixteenth year, receiving a common-school education. He sailed from Hamburg for New York, where he landed after a thirteen days' voyage. Immedi- ately afterward he went to Chicago, where he remained for two weeks. He then went to Louisiana, Pike county, Mo., where he was em- ployed in a restaurant by his uncle for five years. In 1879 he went to Helena, Mont., and spent five years in mining and prospecting. Returning to Missouri in 1884, during the same year he located in Wilson county, Kans., where he re- mained but six weeks, owing to the extreme drouth. He again went to Missouri, then to Nebraska, purchasing a farm near Columbus, Platte county. After a short sojourn there he settled in David City, Neb., and engaged in the general merchandise business until 1892, when he located in Oklahoma City. He built the first elevator here, letting the contract to Seeley, Son & Co., of Fremont, Neb. It has a capacity of eighteen thousand bushels, is convenient in arrangement and complete in all its details. Mod- ern machinery is in use, including a corn-sheller and a chop mill, and the plant is run by steam power. He is the largest grain dealer in the territory and also has a large business in chopped feed. He is a man of good business ability, en-
terprising and progressive, and well merits the success with which he has met ..
In David City, Neb., Mr. Mach married Mary Kasparek, who was born in Moravia, and is a daughter of Rudolph Kasparek, a retired farmer at David City, but is now deceased. She re- ceived her education in the schools of that city. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mach, namely : Harry, twelve years of age; Helen, nine; Elsie, six; Augusta, four years; and Frank. Po- litically Mr. Mach is a supporter of the Repub- lican party. He was one of the organizers of the Oklahoma Grain Dealers' Association.
G EORGE B. GRAF, proprietor of the City meat market of Shawnee, is engaged in the wholesale and retail meat business, and by his enterprise and excellent methods has won the confidence and patronage of the public. Always courteous and desirous to meet the wishes of his customers, he is deservedly popu- lar, and year by year is extending his trade among the leading families of the place.
Perhaps from his sterling German ancestors Mr. Graf inherited the qualities which have won him success in the business world; at any rate, both he and his father are worthy American citizens. F. W. and Lizzie (Kruse) Graf, par- ents of George B., were born in Germany, and now reside upon a farm situated about three miles north of Shawnee. The father learned the trade of harness-making, which he followed in Loganville and Bloomer, Wis., until Okla- homa was opened to white settlers. Going to Oklahoma City, April 22, 1889, he carried on a harness store there until September, 1891, when he located his present homestead, to whose im- provement and cultivation he has since given his time. His wife accompanied her parents to the United States when she was young, and was married in Wisconsin.
George B. Graf, the eldest of five brothers and sisters, all of whom are residents of this territory, was born February 9, 1873, in Loganville, Sauk county, Wis. In the public schools he received a good education, and when sixteen years of age he commenced learning the butcher's trade at Ber- lin, Wis. In 1892 he came to Oklahoma, and for some time was employed by Jeff Ford, of Oklahoma City. Then, going to Purcell, I. T., the young man started a market, and later went to Fort Worth, Tex., where he remained for about two years. Next, we find him in Council Bluffs, where he opened and carried on a market for a twelvemonth or more. In 1898 he came to Shawnee and opened a market on Union ave- nue, and since 1899 has conducted the City Mar- ket, on Broadway. He owns a slaughter-house, situated about a mile north of the city, and has
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large refrigerators and modern equipments, whereby he is enabled to handle meats in whole- sale or retail lots. During the winter seasons he packs pork, cures hams, and prepares other pork products for the public, and the excellence of these foods is the secret of the success of the young man at the head of the enterprise.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Graf is a Knight of Pythias and a member of the Woodmen of the World. In politics he is independent of party lines, voting for the nominee or measure which he deems best at the time of election. His mem- bership is held in the Christian Church of this city, and many worthy religious and benevolent enterprises receive his loyal support.
O SCAR HAYNES, chief of police and pro- prietor of the Iron Front livery stable of Norman, which is the best barn in the city, was born on the 3d of March, 1873, in Cham- bers county, Ala. His father, Elihu Haynes, was a native of Randolph county, same state, and a son of Permenus Haynes, who was also ยท born there and spent his entire life in Alabama as a farmer. The father also chose that occupa- tion as a life-work, carrying it on in Chambers county for some years. He was a member of the Fourteenth Texas Regiment in the Civil war. In 1886 he removed to the Chickasaw Nation, I. T., and operated a farm near Silver City. In 1889 he secured a claim in Oklahoma, where he fol- lowed farming until his death, in 1894. In early life he married Miss Edna Lewis, a daughter of John Lewis, a farmer of Alabama. She was born in Chambers county, that state, and died in Alabama, leaving six children, namely, Oscar, Arthur, Martha, Permenus, Mick and Sidney. Martha and our subject live in Norman, and the others are residents of Cleveland county, Okla.
In the county of his nativity Oscar Haynes spent the first thirteen years of his life, and was educated in its public schools. He then accom- panied the family on their removal to Indian Ter- ritory, and passed the following three years near Silver City. On the 22d of April, 1889, he came to Oklahoma, where he attended school one year, and assisted his father in the improvement and cultivation of the home farm. He began his business career as a farm hand, and in 1895 commenced farming on his own account. Com- ing to Norman in 1897, he purchased a half in- terest in the Iron Front livery stable, becoming a member of the firm of Haynes & Burton, but in August of that year he sold out to his partner, and bought the fire team, running the truck wagon for the city until March, 1898, when he disposed of the same. He then purchased the Iron Front livery from Mr. Burton, and, as sole
proprietor, has since carried it on, meeting with excellent success in the undertaking. It is the largest and best stable in the city, and is devoted principally to the livery business.
At Gainesville, Tex., Mr. Haynes was united in marriage with Miss Elmer Faubion, a native of the Chickasaw Nation, I. T., and a daughter of Loon Faubion, one of the oldest and best- known farmers of that territory, who now has a large farm in Cleveland county, Okla. By this union has been born one child. Mrs. Haynes is a member of the Christian Church, and our sub- ject holds membership in the Woodmen of the World, the-Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Knights of Pythias fraternities. He is a Democrat in politics, and on the 7th of May, 1900, was elected chief of police in Norman, receiving a majority of one hundred and forty- six out of the four hundred and fifty votes cast. He is now most faithfully and satisfactorily dis- charging the duties of that office, and has always been found true to every trust reposed in him, whether public or private.
C ICERO JENKINS. A citizen who strives to meet all of his obligations to his com- munity, to his neighbors and family, and who has arrived at a position of comparative affluence by his own industrious efforts, Mr. Jenkins, of Cleveland county, is justly entitled to a place of honor in the history of this future great state, which he assisted to develop.
Born in Dade county, Mo., November II, 1855. Mr. Jenkins is a son of James M. and Mar- tha (Vititow) Jenkins, and removed with the family to Greene county, Mo., at the beginning of the Civil war. Living there during that troublous period, the father held a position in the Federal army, being what was termed a "forage-master." At the close of the strife be- tween the North and South he located in Ben- tonville, Ark., and engaged in a mercantile busi- ness. For four years he met with fair success, but eventually lost about everything, and then went to the vicinity of Maysville, where he homesteaded a tract of land, situated about seven miles from the town mentioned, and there passed his last years.
When he was in his eighteenth year Cicero Jenkins left home with seventy-five cents in his pocket, and walked to Bourbon county, Kans .. where he obtained work in the coal mines. For two years or more he diligently labored in the dreary mines, and then, going to the Lone Star state, became a cow-boy, following that life on the plains of northwestern Texas for several years, with varying fortunes. Many a time did he drive cattle through the Cheyenne and Arap- ahoe Nations, proceeding to Kansas, and many
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and exciting were the adventures which he had in those unsettled times on the frontier of civili- zation.
About three years before Oklahoma was opened to settlement, Mr. Jenkins commenced operating a farm in the Chickasaw Nation. April 22, 1889, he made the race for a claim, obtaining his present homestead, which is located in the northeastern quarter of section 24, township IO, range 4 west. Here he made a dug-out, which was his home for over a year, and during the first years of his residence in this locality he had to contend with numerous hardships, as he was handicapped by lack of means and in many other ways. He possesses pluck and perseverance, however, and, by the exercise of these essential qualities, he finally won the success which he truly deserves. It was an absolute necessity that he should earn funds for living expenses and improvements upon his property, and thus he sought employment among his neighbors, thus getting his financial start. Step by step he has advanced, and now everything looks well for his future prosperity. To-day a well-kept orchard, a substantial house and barn are to be seen upon his farm, and other improvements are being added from time to time by the enterprising owner. The buildings were erected by him, and the small frame house, 12x14 feet, which first supplanted the old dug-out, is a part of the pres- ent comfortable dwelling.
In his pioneer labors Mr. Jenkins has been greatly aided by his energetic wife, formerly Miss Mary J. E. Bales, who was born in Inde- pendence county, Ark. When about seven years old she accompanied her parents, F. M. and Nancy E. (Comer) Bales, to the Cherokee Na- tion, and in June, 1889, came to Oklahoma. March 20, 1890, she became the wife of our sub- ject, and six children bless their union, namely: Walter, James, Mabel, Thomas, Jesse and Emma.
In political affairs Mr. Jenkins takes an active . cated here. In August his family joined him, interest, though he is entirely free from the de- sire to officiate in public positions. He votes the Democratic ticket, and more than once has been sent as a delegate to local conventions.
J. D. JONES. The truly remarkable strides , which Oklahoma has made within the few years of its present phase of existence is the legitimate outcome of the energetic classes of citizens who comprise by far the major part of its population. In Cleveland county J. D. Jones has been numbered with its leading far- mers for nearly eleven years, his homestead be- ing the southwestern quarter of section 23, town- ship 10, range 4.
The parents of our subject, W. B. and Lucinda
(May) Jones, lived upon their homestead in Car- roll county, Ky., at the time of his birth, August 13, 1849. The father was a man of prominence in his own locality, as he was the proprietor of a saw and grist mill and owned a well improved farm. In 1868 the family removed to Marion county, Kans., where the father homesteaded some land, and, improving the property, spent the rest of his days there. At the age of seventy- three years, on December 9, 1890, he was called to the silent land, and his widow is still living on the old home place.
Under the supervision of his father, J. D. Jones learned how to carry on a farm and how to manage mills, and in his boyhood obtained a fair public school education. Until he was twenty-two years old he remained at home, shar- ing his father's duties, and then, going to Sum- ner county, Kans., he took up a homestead, which he improved and sold, buying another quar- ter section, which he also later developed from a wild state into a fine homestead. In the mean- time, however, he devoted about four years to the business of herding cattle on the plains of Kansas, Texas and Colorado, and, by carefully husbanding his funds, had about $1,500 at the end of that period.
Thus well prepared to assume the responsi- bilities of a married life, Mr. Jones returned to Sumner county, Kans., where he wedded Miss Bertha Miller, January 21, 1877. Born in Car- roll county, Ill., she is a daughter of J. M. and Mary A. (Houghtaling) Miller. Four children bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Jones, namely: Lee, Edith, Dora and Fay. Lee, who is a manly young fellow of twenty-two years, is of great assistance to his father in all of his enterprises.
It was not until April 22, 1889, that J. D. Jones left his old home in Sumner county, and that day, making the race from the South Canadian, he proceeded only about three-quarters of a mile when he found his present claim, and gladiy lo-
and, until they constructed a dug-out, with a shingled roof, their wagon had to answer them for a shelter. After passing the winter in that humble abode, a two-room house was built, 26x30 feet in dimensions. In 1899 the family removed from the eastern part of the farm to the pleasant home now occupied. The property pro- duces excellent crops each year, and an orchard of four acres furnishes an abundance of fruit.
In 1872 Mr. Jones cast his first presidential vote for General Grant, and of late years has been identified with the Populists. In 1892 he was elected justice of the peace, and, though he served as such for two years and transacted a large amount of business, none of his decisions was ever reversed by higher authorities. In 1898 he was elected as one of the township
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trustees, and is yet acting in that office. He is well esteemed by his acquaintances and asso- ciates and justifies the confidence which is re- posed in him.
G I EORGE W. DAVIS. In the ranks of the Republican party, Shawnee has no more enthusiastic worker than George W. Davis, now representing the fourth ward in the council of the city. Though, like his father, he was born and reared in the south, his sym- pathies have been with the Union, and with the party which so nobly stood at the helm during the trying years of war and reconstruction, pilot- ing the nation to the prosperity which it enjoys at the beginning of the twentieth century.
David Davis, father of our subject, was a na- tive of Tennessee, and in early manhood re- moved to a farm near Lavaca, Ark. There he married Mary Murphy, whose birth had taken place in Madison county, Ark., and who is still living in that locality. Until the beginning of the Civil war, David Davis quietly pursued his agricultural duties, and then, joining the Second Arkansas Volunteer Infantry, a portion of the Federal army, he served valiantly throughout the strife. When peace had been won, he re- turned home, and for some time held the con- tract for handling mail between Fayetteville and Van Buren, Ark. In 1869 he was summoned to his eternal reward, and one of his seven chil- dren has also passed away.
Next to the youngest of the family, George W. Davis was born on the old homestead near Lavaca, Ark., November 29, 1860. Until he was seventeen years of age he remained on the home farm, attending the "little red school- house" of the district. In 1877 he commenced serving an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, and at the end of the first year began taking and executing contracts for buildings. He met with marked success in his chosen field of endeavor, and for fifteen years was numbered among the substantial business men of Lavaca. In the meantime he served as assistant postmas- ter of the place, and later was the postmaster of Bloomer, Ark., for eighteen months. For fifteen years he was a member of the Republican cen- tral committee of Sebastian county. Ark., being looked upon as an authority on political affairs there. Initiated into Masonry at Lavaca. he served as worshipful master of the lodge for four years.
In December. 1808, Mr. Davis made an im- portant step in life, for. leaving the friends and scenes of his youth and early manhood, he came to Shawnee, where he has built up a remark- ably good business. He remodeled the opera- house, built the compress plant, the residences
of Dr. Walker and Mrs. Seagrave, and many other public structures and private residences. His own home, at the corner of Pennsylvania and Oakland, is pretty and modern, having everv convenience compatible with a town of these proportions.
The marriage of Mr. Davis and Miss Annie Mashburn, a native of Tennessee, was solem- nized in Lavaca, where her girlhood had been passed. Six children bless the home of this es- timable couple, namely: Bessie, Mollie, Bertha, Vernon Robert, William McKinley and Hobart. The parents are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and strive to do all within their power towards the uplifting of humanity.
L. B. JONES. Oklahoma has been a severe school for many of its pioneers, but at last blessed them with liberal returns for their indefatigable labor. Of the number who have had many obstacles to contend with, but have persevered until prosperity rewarded them, L. B. Jones is a prominent example in his commu- nity. He possesses the respect of all who have been acquainted with him in the years of his pro- bation, and, with one accord, they rejoice in his success.
Born in Carroll county, Ky., August 17, IS51. Mr. Jones was quite a lad when the Civil war was being waged in that and neighboring states, and. though he was eager to shoulder a musket and fight for his principles, he was not permitted to enlist on account of his youth. In 1869 he went with his parents, W. B. and Lucinda (May) Jones, to Marion county, Kans. There the father homesteaded a tract of land, and, having im- proved it, continued to cultivate it until his death, ten years ago.
L. B. Jones was reared to the duties of farm- ing, and when seventeen years old commenced to herd cattle on the great plains of the West. For six years he pursued that business, becom- ing familiar with different sections of Kansas, Nebraska and the Texas "Panhandle." His next venture was that of mining on his own account in the famous lead ore district near Joplin, Mo .. and, though he met with fair success, with the proverbial liberality and almost carelessness of the miner, his money melted away about as rap- idly as it came into his possession. At last he decided to resume agriculture, and for some time carried on a farm in Sumner county, Kans. In the spring of 1880 he went to Purcell, I. T., and on the day that Oklahoma was opened made the race for a claim, starting from the Canadian river. Not securing one to his liking. he bought out the original claimant to his pres- ent property, which is the southeastern quarter of section 24, township 10, range 4 west, and, as
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he then had very little capital left, began the construction of a primitive shelter. Making an excavation in the bank, he built walls of logs- native timber-and put on a roof of planks, lay -. ing a floor of the same. Simple as this house was, it was warm in winter, and many a happy hour was spent by the little family in the humble cabin. In 1893 a better and more convenient house was built by Mr. Jones, who constantly added to the comforts of the place. An orchard, well cultivated fields and a general air of thrift about the premises proved the untiring efforts of the owner, who of recent years has garnered abundant harvests. Formerly a Democrat, he is now affiliated with the Populist party.
In his joys and sorrows Mr. Jones has found a true helpmate in his wife, formerly Miss Eva Miller. They were married in Sumner county, Kans., August 3. 1887, and their first-born child, Bertha L., is a native of the county mentioned. Gertrude L., John W. and Irene R., the younger. children, claim Oklahoma as their birthplace. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of the Church of God, and, having known hardships and many vicissitudes, extend their sympathies and hospi- tality to those less fortunate than they are to-day.
In the fall of 1900 he sold his homestead to a good advantage, and purchased two hundred and eighty acres on section 23, township 10 north, range 2 west, located six miles east and one mile south of Moore.
J OHN LEVERICH. This pioneer of the west has experienced the hardships of fron- tier life in many forms, has freighted goods across the mountains and plains, has carried on mining and prospecting, suffered from want of food and water, has lived in fear of Indians on the war-path, and has improved farms in new localities. His history, if given in full, would fill a fair-sized volume, and would prove very enter- taining to many, even to those unacquainted with him.
Born February 20, 1842, in the southwestern part of the territory of Iowa, twenty miles from the nearest settlement. John Leverich is a son of pioneers, Stephen and Mary (Ames) Leverich. They removed to St. Joseph, and later located in Gentry county, Mo., where the father died when our subject was young. The mother and four children survive, John Leverich being the second of the family in order of birth.
In 1860, in company with others, he went to Colorado, driving teams across the plains, and, after spending six months or more in the mines of Tarryall and Fairplay, started on the long home trip, and was insufficiently supplied with provisions. Having learned the blacksmith's trade at home, he returned to Colorado in 1863,
again driving an ox-team, this time for Messrs. Major & Russell, freighters. Arriving in Denver, and thence going to New Mexico and to Council 'Grove, Kans., he joined a caravan of fifty-six wagons, four to six spans of mules being allowed to each "prairie schooner." . The Indians of the West were very troublesome at that period, for the Civil war, having reduced the government forces in that region, they took advantage of the situation. The next trip of the young man was to Virginia City, Mont., when he went equipped with a wagon with bacon and flour, which was worth a dollar a pound. During the winter of 1864-65 he mined near Silver Bow, and then freighted supplies to the mouth of Milk river and Fort Benton. The next winter was passed by him at Provost, Utah, and then he drove a team to Helena, Mont. Buying two horses there, he rode one and used the other as a pack-horse, and went to Salt Lake City, where he joined a company bound for Cass county, Mo. Arriving at his destination, he worked at his trade in Pleasant Hill and at Lee Summit for a year or more. The home ties then again drew him back to his native state, and upon his moth- er's farm, near St. Charles, he started a black- smith shop, and for several years carried on a flourishing business there.
In August, 1889, Mr. Leverich came to Okla- homa with about $1,100, and for less than a four- teenth of that amount purchased a claim, his present homestead, the southeastern quarter of section 28, township 10, range 3 west. Putting up a building, 14x24 feet in dimensions, he was joined by his family in November. During the next two years he had poor success in raising crops, but from that time to the present has met with good returns for his toil. In 1897 he built a large barn, and in 1899 enlarged his house, which now is 28x52 feet in dimensions. The farm is well improved in every way and is kept in a high state of cultivation.
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