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 37
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Mr. Miller cast his first presidential ballot for Fremont in 1856 and of late years has given his support to the Populist party. The only frater- nity with which he has been identified is the Odd Fellows, which he joined in Caldwell. In 1898 he was converted, and, with his estimable wife, belongs to the Holiness Band.
J. C. NEAL. When prosperity rewards a man after many years of hard struggling against adverse circumstances, it is generally a matter of rejoicing among his neighbors, and thus it is with J. C. Neal, a pioneer of Cleveland county. Like many others, he met with small encouragement during the first year or two of his residence here, and, as he had the additional burden of poor health, it required true heroism.
To-day Mr. Neal has reason to be proud of his highly cultivated homestead, which is sitt- ated in the northwestern quarter of section 32. township 10, range 3 west. He was born in Randolph county, Ala .. June 25, 1866. his par- ents being John A. and D. P. (Whitfield) Neal. When a lad of six years, he removed with the family to McClellan county, Tex., where the father died within a short time. About eighteen months later, the mother located in Erath coun- ty. same state, and to the best of her limited circumstances reared her son, who, at an carly age, became of great assistance to her. In fact, the burdens of life fell upon his shoulders when he should have been a light-hearted lad, free from the cares of a later period. Following the example of many other young men, he went to the Chickasaw Nation when he was twenty, and. leasing land, met with fair success as a farmer. While living in the Chickasaw Nation, the min- ister's wife having died, it devolved upon our subject to conduct the services at the grove. which he did to the satisfaction of all, rising above himself and doing great credit to his com- munity.
When Oklahoma was opened Mr. Neal made
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the race for a homestead, and still keeps the hardy "Yellow Tom"-the horse whose speed won this claim for his master. Putting up a frame building, 8x12 feet, and the following autumn constructing a dug-out, the young man was shel- tered in these rude places of abode until he was able to make a start in the great work of devel- oping the land. When he arrived here he had three poor horses, twenty dollars in money, and hardly anything besides. His health was very poor for nearly two years, and he was obliged to live on corn bread and milk almost exclusively. As he was known to be poor, his credit was not good, and a merchant even refused to trust him for a little tobacco, with which he wished to while away some of his long, lonely evenings in his "bachelor's hall." Well, this is the way of the world, and to-day, when he has no need of asking a dollar's worth of credit, many would gladly lend him a thousand, or any reasonable sum. In 1890 he raised a little corn and cotton, and from that time onward has reaped excellent harvests. In 1898 he purchased eighty acres of the southwestern quarter of section 29, township 10, range 3, and is cultivating that tract, as well as his original property, with gratifying success.
In 1891, when it had become evident that he was about to prosper in his enterprise here, Mr. Neal sent for his mother, who sold her property in Texas, and came to keep house for him. Jan- uary 4, 1893, he married Miss Laura Earp, of Erath county, Tex., and in her has found a true helpmate. She is a native of Mcclellan county, Tex., and is a daughter of William and Jane (Boyle) Earp. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Neal, namely: Arden, November 14, 1893; Opha, February 25, 1896; and Earl, Feb- ruary 11, 1899.
In political matters Mr. Neal is independent, using his ballot as he deems best, regardless of party. With his wife he holds membership in the Baptist Church and contributes toward many worthy religious and benevolent enterprises.
JOHN W. PAYNE, an enterprising mer- chant of Moore, Cleveland county, is an exceptionally fine type of the Tennesseean, his birth having occurred in Macon county, Au- gust 14, 1841. His parents, Johnson and Delilah (Holland) Payne, were agriculturists, and on the home farm our subject obtained practical ideas of life, patriotism being considered the first attribute of a good citizen in his family. Loyally carrying out his principles, the young man en- listed in Company H, Fifth Kentucky Cavalry, Federal troops, at the beginning of the Civil war, and for about a year was in active service. In the South he finally became very ill, and was sent to the hospital at Nashville. As soon as he
was able to walk around he desired to be allowed to resume his post in the regiment, but, instead, was assigned to duty in the hospital.as a nurse. and, as he did not recuperate perceptibly, was honorably discharged November 28, 1862, and returned home. As soon as able to teach, he took charge of a school in the neighborhood, and was thus employed about six months. Later he entered the employ of the government at Louisville and was kept busy for some time in driving cattle needed to furnish the army with meat.
In the spring of 1865 Mr. Payne went to Hart county, Ky., where he found employment in different lines, and then, returning home, he, in company with a brother, bought and carried on a blacksmith shop for four years. Then, buying a farm of one hundred and thirty acres, situated in Macon county, Tenn., he devoted his energy to its cultivation, and succeeded so well that ·from time to time he added to his possessions until he owned five hundred and sixty-three acres. A portion of this land was across the state line in Kentucky, and there he dwelt from 1884 to the close of 1891. At Akersville, Ky., he embarked in merchandising and also served as postmaster of the place from 1884 to March, 1891, with the exception of an intermission of ten months.
In December, 1891, Mr. Payne came to Okla- homa, having previously purchased the quarter section of land where he has since dwelt, July roth, 1891. It is in the southeastern part of sec- tion 15, township 10, range 3 west, and under the management of the owner has been developed into a valuable farm. In February, 1898, he embarked in business at Moore, and is still car- rying on the enterprise under the firm name of J. W. Payne & Son. An honored member of Moore Post No. 17, G. A. R., he is now serving as its commander. For ten years he was a notary public while in Kentucky, and has officiated in the same capacity in this territory. He is not a politician, but takes great interest in the welfare of the Republican party. In 1877 he was ordained as a deacon of the Baptist Church, and in his old Kentucky home, as well as here, has held the position of superintendent of the Sunday school.
July 26, 1866, Mr. Payne married Miss Arena E. Archer, daughter of Jonathan M. and Delilah (Overfeldt) Archer. Born in Johnson county, Tenn., she was well educated and a most estima- ble lady, loved by all who knew her. Almost unbearable trouble came to Mr. Payne in 1893, as his wife and eldest son, third son, and the eldest daughter were summoned to the silent land, leaving his home desolate, indeed. Sher- man II., who died May 10, 1893, left a young wife and little son, Ezra. Susan B. died on June
JOHN W. THATCHER, Stillwater.
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09 877
9, and Merritt J. died on June I, while the devoted wife and mother passed to the better land August 16th. Silas A., who is married and has one child, is in partnership with his father. Delilah E .; Minnie O .; Lucy Jane; John E., and Henry C. are yet members of the home circle. All but the two younger ones were born in Ten- nessee, they being natives of Kentucky.
J JOHN W. THATCHER. For almost a score of years John W. Thatcher has been engaged in his present line of business, that of drill- ing wells and sinking shafts for coal and salt. He so thoroughly understands mechanics that he not only does this, but also manufactures and repairs drills and engines, and carries on a gen- eral line of work in this direction. He has in- vented many tools and devices for his special business, and is a practical mechanic in every sense. The Stillwater Well-Drill, which he man- ufactures, has an enviable reputation throughout the middle west, and to-day it appears under the style of the Improved Stillwater Drill. Every- thing about it, save the castings, are mantifac- factured here, the local firm being known as Thatcher & Sons.
Born in Cardington, Ohio, August 15, IS51, John W. Thatcher, the only child of Dr. John W. and Elizabeth (Chase) Thatcher, was given the name which had occurred in every genera- tion of the Thatcher family as far back as can be traced. His father was a native of the same town, Cardington, and there was actively en- gaged in medical practice until his death. The paternal grandfather of our subject, John W. Thatcher, was a farmer in the Buckeye state, and the maternal grandfather, Paul Chase, a na- tive of Vermont, was an early settler in Ohio. He carried on a farm in Morrow county until 1853, when he removed to Muscatine county, Iowa, and, entering land near Moscow, resided there until his death. Mrs. Elizabeth Thatcher makes her home with our subject.
The youth of the latter was passed with his grandfather Chase, in Iowa, and, after leaving the common schools, it was his privilege to attend the Wesleyan College at Mount Pleasant, Iowa. for a year. Then, until 1870, he was engaged in farming in Muscatine county, Iowa, and sub- sequently he bought and improved new land in Audubon county, same state. In consequence of a severe fire, which destroyed his buildings and crops, besides injuring him personally, he removed to Jewell county, Kans., in 1878, and located a claim, which he improved. About that time he found employment in a mill at Cawker City, and thoroughly learned the trade of a mill- wright. After running what was known as the Waukonda Mills for several years, he returned
to his farm, and engaged in drilling wells. Since 1882 he has given his attention exclusively to the latter calling, and besides drilling wells in his own county, he was similarly employed in Mitchell, Republic, Cloud, Washington, Riley, Smith, Osborne and Root counties, and also in parts of southern Nebraska. For about eleven years he has been located in Stillwater, and has kept two drills in operation most of the time. Orders continually come to him for work in his line, and he and his sons have drilled nearly all of the numerous wells which have been drilled in eastern Oklahoma and in the western part of the Indian Territory.
March 20, 1873, Mr. Thatcher married Mari- ette, daughter of David and Jane (Hamilton) Romig. Both she and her father were natives of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, in which locality her grandfather, Gabriel Romig, was an early settler. The latter removed to Henry county, Ill., in later life, and died there, but David Romig, after operating a farm in that county for some time, went to Guthrie county, Iowa, in 1877 became a resident of Jewell county, Kans., owning a farm near Mankato, and is now living retired at his home in Alva, Okla. His wife, who died in Illinois, was a daughter of William Hamilton, and, like him, was born in Ireland. He was acci- dentally killed on his pioneer homestead in Ohio, a tree falling upon him. The seven chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Thatcher are: Mrs. Jennie E. Reed, of Holdenville, I. T .; Jessie Olive; Leslie E. and Edward T., who are in business with their father; Charles Ira, a mem- ber of the high school class of 1901; Hester Alice and John W., Jr. Miss Jessie O., now en- gaged in teaching in the Stillwater schools, was graduated in the Agricultural and Mechanical College in 1897, with the degree of Bachelor of Sciences, and was the first woman to receive a degree in an Oklahoma institution of learning.
Politically Mr. Thatcher is a true-blue Re- publican, and for one term served as a member of the city council from the third ward. He was one of the organizers of the Ancient Order of United Workmen in this territory, is a char- ter member of the local lodge, for two terms served as an officer, and was chosen to act as chairman of the finance committee of the Grand Lodge, being a grand trustee of Oklahoma. An honored member of the Odd Fellows Society, lie is past grand of the lodge.
C HRISTIAN MOELLER, who is of sturdy German stock, is one of the industrious farmers and cattle-raisers of Greeley town- ship, Oklahoma county, and owns a quarter section of land, which he purchased in June, 1892. IIe is a native of Germany, and received
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a good education there, being a graduate in the medical profession. As his father died during our subject's early manhood, he was obliged to help earn a living for his mother and younger brothers and sisters. In 1881 he resolved to try his fortune in the United States, and accord- ingly sailed for New York City. From there he proceeded to Nebraska, where he engaged in general farming and stock-raising.
After settling in Nebraska he obtained a li- cense from the state board to practice medicine, and, as he had a thorough knowledge of the science, he soon succeeded in establishing a large patronage. However, not liking the severe winters of Nebraska, he came to Oklahoma in the hope of securing a new home, and, after vis- iting different parts of the territory, in June, 1892, he purchased his present farm, the north- east quarter of section 18. In December of the same year he was joined by his family. He has a fine house and barn on his farm, and has made many improvements upon the same since taking possession. Having sunk a well two hundred and six feet, and also having a large cistern, a good supply of water always is at hand. He has one hundred and twenty acres under cultiva- tion, while the remainder is in pasture, with the exception of a few acres of orchard and vineyard. His orchard contains one hundred pear trees, one hundred apple and one hundred and fifty peach trees. He is considered a good neighbor and citizen, and always lends his influence to further those projects which in his opinion tend to ben- efit the general welfare of his community and county.
Mr. Moeller is a prominent worker in the German Methodist Church, as also is his wife. For four years he was superintendent of the Sab- bath-school, and now has charge of a class. He was first married in Germany, and his wife, Wil- helmina (Grænermeier) Moeller, died in Ne- braska, leaving three children, namely: Sophia, the wife of Edward Berg; Mary and Louisa. By his second marriage, in 1883, to Johanna Berger, he has two children. Augusta and Frederick. In 1894 he married Mrs. Scheidt, who had a son, Oscar Scheidt, and this union resulted in the birth of two children: Edna and Albert.
A. L. QUIETT, who is successfully engaged in the flour, feed and coal business in Shawnee, was born February 2, 1847, in Paris, Edgar county, Ill. ITis father, Eslie Quiett, was born in Georgia in 1804, and received his early training and education in Tennessee. About 1837 he removed to Edgar county, Ill., where he conducted agricultural interests in the vicinity of Paris. In 1857 he located in Shawnee county, Kans., five miles
cast of Topeka, later spent three years in Hart- ford, then a few years were spent near Tecum- seh; from there he moved across the river in Jefferson county, where he continued to farm, and where he died at the age of sixty-six years. By his first marriage there were six children, of whom there were two brothers in the Civil war. William served in the Fifteenth Kansas Volunteer Infantry, and died in Ozawkie. Jefferson county, Kans., and James was a mem- ber of the Ninth Kansas Cavalry, and also died in Ozawkie. The second marriage of Mr. Quiett was to Susan McCord, a native of Tennessee, and at the present time a resident of Harvey county, Kans. She is of Scotch-Irish ancestry. Of this union there were eight chil- dren, six of whom attained maturity and five are living, A. L. being the oldest.
Until ten years of age A. L. Quiett lived in Edgar county, Ill., where he received an excel- lent home training, and early evinced habits of industry and thrift. In 1857 his family migrated to Kansas, going by rail to St. Louis, and by steamer to Leavenworth, continuing the journey by wagons to Shawnee county. There the father engaged in farming, and the son attended the district schools, which were somewhat limited in the extent of knowledge there attainable. His life lay in the ordinary grooves until the breaking out of the war, when he volunteered in 1863, in the Second Kansas State Militia Mounted Infantry, which was mounted and drilled for state protection. An experience calculated to linger in the memory of Mr. Quiett was the result of his company being called upon to assist in the memorable Price's raid, at which time about a third of the regiment was surrounded and captured (Mr. Quiett and his brother being among the num- ber), and marched to Newtonia, two hundred miles distant. They were forced to cover the whole distance on foot, being on the move night and day, and often going forty miles in the course of twenty-four hours. The food given them was scant indeed, and part of the time they were barefooted. Arriving at Newtonia they were paroled, and returned to their respec- tive homes, with a large fund of dearly bought experience, and the poorer from the loss of all of their accouterment, which they had furnished.
When twenty-one years of age Mr. Quiett departed upon an independent venture, and for three years farmed for himself in Jefferson county. In 1870 he decided to investigate the possibilities and conditions of the far west, and went to Oregon, by way of California, making the journey of four hundred miles from Marys- ville, Cal., by way of stage coach. Upon his return to Jefferson county, he farmed for two years, and then located upon the old homestead
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in McPherson county, Kans., fifteen miles north of Newton. This land he improved and man- aged until 1881, when he removed four miles south of the homestead, in Harvey county. Having purchased a farm here, he continued its improvement until 1885, when he transferred his farming interests to Kingman county. Not content with the prospects of a continued resi- dence there, he located in December. 1892, in Edmond, Okla., and started a grocery business, which realized a season of prosperity until 1895.
In October of 1895 Mr. Quiett came to Shaw- nee, and after erecting a store on Union avenue, engaged in the grocery business for one year. He then removed to Main street, and increased his stock by the addition of coal and confection- ery. In December of 1897 he removed to the corner of Bell and Seventh streets, and became interested in the wholesale and retail flour and feed business, which has since engaged his attention. He also deals in coal, and has sheds for the accommodation of his stock of coal, in the rear of the store.
In Douglas county, Kans., at Lecompton, March 18, 1873, Mr. Quiett was united in mar- riage, by Rev. Mr. Boycourt, with Sarah S. Lowe, who was born in Missouri, September 29, 1854, and educated at Lane University. Her father, A. K. Lowe, was born in Granger county, Tenn., and was left an orphan when but three years of age. He subsequently set- tled in Dade county, Mo., where he was among the very early pioneers. In 1862 he removed to Lecompton, Douglas county, where he was successfully engaged in fruit raising and gen- eral farming. During the, war he enlisted in the Second Kansas State Militia, and partici- pated in Price's raid, but was forced to rettirn to his home, owing to illness in the family. In 1892 he removed to Alvin, Tex., where he is now retired from active participation in the affairs of business life. The mother of Mrs. Quiett was, before her marriage, Elizabeth Mitchell, born in Granger, Tenn., and a daugh- ter of William Mitchell, who owned and man- aged a large plantation in Tennessee. To this couple were born ten children, of whom William died in Colorado; Robert is a merchant in Mulvane, Kans. ; Sarah S. is Mrs. Quiett ; David is a railroad man in Nebraska City; Margaret, now Mrs. Finn, is living in Kansas City; Clara is Mrs. Jones, of Pueblo, Colo .; Garrett is a railroad man with headquarters in Alvin. Tex., and connected with the Santa Fe road; Lizzic. Mrs. Chalfant, is in Paris, Tex .; Jennie is Mrs. Haskell, of Little Rock, Ark .; and Hattic is at Alvin, Tex., and the wife of Mr. Chase, with the Santa Fe Railroad Company. To Mr. and Mrs. Quiett have been born three children ; Essie has attended the normal school at
Edmond, and is teaching school at Shawnee; Harry was also educated in the normal school, and is now assistant cashier of the Shawnec National Bank; and Mabel is a graduate of the high-school, class of 1900.
Mr. Quiett is politically affiliated with the People's Party, and while living in Kingman county, Kans., was on the county central com- mittee. In McPherson county, Kans., he was township trustee, and a member of the school board during his entire residence there. In Shawnee he has served for a short time on the school board, but seems to entertain no political aspirations in regard to the territory. Frater- nally he is associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Woodmen of the World. He is a member of the Methodist church. He is regarded as one of Shawnee's most substantial and reliable citizens, and his home, located on Market and Highland streets, is the scene of gracious hospitality and good fellowship thoroughly in accord with the dis- position and charm of the presiding genius of the establishment, Mrs. Quiett.
S AMUEL ROSE, the pioneer dry-goods merchant of Shawnee, is a thoroughly pub- lic-spirited citizen and man of enterprise. Through his indefatigable efforts the people of this locality are supplied with the latest and most reliable styles of goods at reasonable prices, and thus his trade is continually increas- ing, as he justly deserves. For a young man who has seen but thirty years, his success in the business world is notable, and his future is full of promise.
The parents of our subject are Solomon and Caroline (Meyer) Rose, natives of Germany. The father, whose birthplace was near Frank- fort, came to the United States when young, and after residing at Little Falls, N. Y., for a period, he located in La Grange, Ind., where he now is one of its most substantial citizens. For thirty-five years he has been engaged in mer- cantile enterprises there, and over a score of years ago organized the First National Bank of the place. This flourishing institution now possesses its second charter, and for some time Mr. Rose has officiated as president of the bank. He is identified with the Masonic order, and is . actively interested in all home affairs of public moment. His wife and seven of their eight children survive, and all of the sons have re- ceived practical educations and training for life's duties.
The birth of Samuel Rose occurred in La Grange, Ind., April 5, 1871. In his native town his elementary education was acquired in the grammar and high schools, after which he pur-
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sued a course of studies in the College at Notre Dame, Ind. Ten years ago he went to Chicago, where he served as a bookkeeper to a large firm for five years, becoming familiar with the sys- tematic methods and wonderful enterprise of local firms. In July, 1895, he came to Shawnee, and opened a dry goods, clothing and shoe store at the corner of Main and Broadway. Here he occupied a space 25x140 feet in the Maxey block, which had been hardly completed when he moved in his stock of goods. One of the charter members of the Shawnee Club, he has exerted his influence for the permanent welfare of the city. In his political creed, he is a Democrat.
The lady who presides over the hospitalities of Mr. Rose's house became his bride in Kansas City in 1898. She is a native of Kentucky, and in her girlhood bore the name of Julia O'Brien. One child blesses the union of this estimable young couple, Ella.
The family from which Mrs. Rose springs is the celebrated one which is traced back to that O'Brien who was an ancient king over the Celts in Ireland. Her great-grandfather, Patrick O'Brien, whose entire life was passed in the Emerald Isle, was in charge of the city prison at Limerick for some years, and his namesake, the grandfather of Mrs. Rose, was his assistant bookkeeper until 1833, when he came to the United States. At that time he was in his twen- ty-fourth year, and for just half a century he was employed at the trade of a gunsmith in different parts of Kentucky. Now, over ninety years of age, he is living with his son, W. O. O'Brien, father of Mrs. Rose. His wife, Sally, daughter of Charles McAllister, was born in the wilds of Kentticky, and died in Illinois at the advanced age of ninety-two. Her father, who was of an old Virginia family, was a pioneer in Mercer county, Ky., and her mother. a Miss Rucker in her girlhood, was the daughter of a Revolutionary war soldier. In fact, she was born in the camp of the army, for the Indians, incited by the British, were upon the war-path, and the women were forced to seek protection in the camps in some localities. The McAllisters and Ruckers were of Scotch descent. W. O. O'Brien, born in 1846, was the youngest child of his parents, and spent his early years in his native state, Kentucky. He has been successfully engaged in mercantile pursuits in Kentucky and Kansas, and for five years was employed as a traveling salesman for a Kansas City shoe firm in this territory. Then, for four years he was occupied in the milling business in Shawnee, also being proprietor of the "Racket" store from 1896 to 1898, when he sold out. Since 1899 he has devoted his atten- tion exclusively to his farm, for, he owns a fine
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