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 57
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W. M. ROBBINS, well known as lawyer, newspaper correspondent and mer- chant, came to Perry September 16. 1893, and has since been identified with the best intellectual and material growth of the city. As an inheritance, he is endowed with the sturdy and reliable characteristics of the Scotch and English. His ancestors, upon coming to Amer- ica, settled in Virginia, and were among the prominent pioneers of that locality. He was born in Lee county, Va., November 4, 1863, and is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Smith) Rob- bins, natives, respectively, of Virginia and Ken- tucky. Thomas Robbins was interested in agri- cultural pursuits, as was his father. Charles. 4
As fourth in a family of nine children, of whom seven are now living. W. M. Robbins re- ceived an excellent home training on his father's farm in Virginia, and was educated until his nineteenth year at the public schools. He then turned his education to practical account and taught school for two years, after which he went to Texas and devoted two more years to teach- ing. Later he attended the normal school at Huntsville for two years, when he again engaged in teaching for four years. At the same time, in
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clination and aptitude seemed to point to a pro- fessional career, and he undertook the study of law with Davis & Garnett, being admitted to the bar in May of 1893. During his vacations, while in educational work, he became interested in some outside matters, and in 1890 was census enumerator for the third district in Cook county, Tex.
Upon locating in Perry, in 1893, Mr. Robbins was appointed clerk of the police court, and con- tinued to hold the office for a year. He later served as clerk of the probate court for two years, and in 1896 was elected justice of the peace. A later office was as engrossing and enrolling clerk in the legislature of 1899, of the fifth general assembly. In 1900 he entered the mercantile business in partnership with Mr. Tate, proprietor of the Golden Rule department store, on the east side of the square.
After coming to Perry Mr. Robbins mar- ried Mary Swan, who was born in Hanover, Ind., and is a daughter of George Swan, a large land owner in Indiana, where he died. Mrs. Robbins is gifted beyond the average as a scholar and artist, and was educated at Hanover College in Indiana, and at Monmouth College in Illinois, having graduated from the latter in 1888. She is regarded as a great acquisition to the social and intellectual life of Perry, is a member of the Presbyterian Church, a member of the Progress Club, and ex-secretary of the Presbyterian Board of Missions. Mr. Robbins is affiliated with the Republican party and is an ardent upholder of its principles. He is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
W ILLIAM MADISON ADAMS, who ren- dered invaluable service to the cause of the Confederacy through the Civil war, is one of the oldest contractors and builders of Oklahoma City, having settled here May 4, 1880. Born in Baton Rouge, La., No- vember 3, 1844, he is a son of Michael and Mary (Verdeau) Adams. His grandfather, Michael Adams, was born in Germany, and, upon com- ing to America, settled in Pennsylvania, where he followed farming. He was an officer in the Continental army during the Revolutionary war. Going with his family to Louisiana he became a planter in a sparsely settled district. He lived to reach the advanced age of eighty-seven years.
Michael Adams, Jr., was born at Eastport, Pa., and was a soldier of the war of 1812, taking part in the decisive battle of New Orleans. He was a prominent planter near Baton Rouge, where he lived seventy years on one plantation, from the age of two years until he sold the place, one year before his death, in 1861, at the age of seventy-three years. He married Mary Ver-
deau, who was born in Louisiana, and was a daughter of Valentine Verdeau. The latter was at one time an officer in the French army, and, upon coming to this country, became a planter of Louisiana. He participated in the war of 1812, serving as captain under "Old Hickory" Jackson, and was wounded in the battle of New Orleans, from the effects of which he died. Our subject's mother, who was the second wife of her husband, also died in Louisiana. Of the nine children born to her, three sons and two daugh- ters are now living. Michael Adams, a son of Michael Adams, by a former marriage, served in a Tennessee regiment in the Confederate army, and was wounded at the second battle of Manas- sas, dying shortly after.
William Madison Adams, the youngest child of his parents, was reared on his father's planta- tion, eight miles from Baton Rouge, and re- ceived his education in a private school and a boarding school at Bardstown, Ky. In the sum- mer of 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate army, in Company C, Fourth Louisiana Infantry, and participated in the following important engage- ments: Vicksburg, in 1862, when he sustained a broken leg by being hit by a ball; Pittsburg Landing, where he was wounded by being hit in the chest by a shell; Jackson, Miss., in 1863; Port Hudson, in 1863; Baton Rouge, where he received a severe wound in the right shoulder; and the first battle of Corinth. A part of his service was in the cavalry, but in the same regi- ment as before, and during the last two years of the war he was a scout both east and west of the Mississippi river. He was captured and impris- oned at Fort Jackson, in New Orleans, and was released May 26, 1865. After the close of the war he engaged in stock-dealing in Louisiana until 1871, and then became identified with the International & Great Northern Railroad as a contractor. In 1880 he went to Little Rock, Ark., where he followed contracting and build- ing, and subsequently engaged in the same busi- ness successively at Fort Smith, St. Louis, Memphis, Tenn., and Wichita, Kans. May 4, 1889, he located at Oklahoma City, where he was among the first contractors and builders, and built some of the first residences. He has erected many fine homes in different parts of the city and conducts a successful business.
The marriage of Mr. Adams united him with Annie Gethridge, who was born in Missouri. They are the parents of four children, as fol- lows: Lynne G., Vera Altrura, Verne Gordon and William Madison, Jr. Fraternally Mr. Adams is a member of the Woodmen of the World, and is a Democrat in political affilia- tions. He is a lieutenant of the camp of the United Confederate Volunteers at Oklahoma City.
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F REDERICK ADOLPH BUSE, a promi- nent architect and contractor, who has erected many of the buildings in El Reno, is one of the enterprising and public-spirited citizens of his place. He was born July 9, 1844, in Germany, and is a son of Henry Buse, who was also born in Germany.
The Buse family is of French origin, and our subject's grandfather was in the Napoleon wars. Henry Buse contracted to furnish horses and supplies for the German government, but he died when our subject was a lad of ten years. By his marriage to Miss Louisa Eggert, who was born in Germany, and died in Eldora, Iowa, aged seventy-three years, he had two sons, Henry, who is a mining contractor at Cripple Creek, Colo., and Frederick Adolph. He later received a good education, and then engaged in mechanical work, from which he drifted into bricklaying and architect work.
Deciding to leave his native country for the one that offered the most advantages to the young and energetic foreigner, Mr. Buse came to the United States in 1866, and settled in Free- port, Ill., where he had relatives. In 1871 he sent for his family, and they arrived in Chicago a few days after the great fire. He then went to Lawrence, Kans., where he followed his trade as a contractor and builder, and, after being there three years, in 1875 he went to Eldora, Iowa, where he became foreman of the Indus- trial School that was undergoing completion. He was engaged on that building two years, but he resided there five years, and during the last two years of that period was engaged in the insurance business. Going to Denver, Colo., from there, in 1878, he proceeded to Leadville, where he engaged in contracting and opened a merchandise store. He also invested consid- erably in mines, which proved disastrous. After having lived there for five years he went to Douglas, Wyo .. where he followed his trade. Next, at Fort Robinson, he superintended the construction of a number of buildings. Five months later he went to Chadron, Neb., where he superintended the construction of a school building, and from there he returned to Eldora, Iowa. At Alliance, Neb., he helped lay out the town, but after that he returned to Eldora for the third time, and during his stay there he was married. After his marriage he returned to Al- liance, Neb., where he followed contracting and building until 1890, when he went to New Castle, Wyo.
In February, 1891, Mr. Buse came to El Reno, where he superintended the erection of the opera house block, and has since had charge of the erection of many of the business blocks in EI Reno. During the building of the Indian schools in Oklahoma he served as government inspector.
In 1891 he erected the Buse Block, which was built at a cost of $3,000 and was the fourth building erected in El Reno. In addition he owns other property here. Two days after lo- cating in El Reno he bought his present lot, and. as lot "jumping" was going on, he built a little frame shanty on his lot, in which he lived until fall.
One of the substantial business men of El Reno, in his effort to assist in the building up of the city, Mr. Buse has gained many friends. In 1898-99 he took a trip to the Honduras, where he prospected for gold, but, though he found many traces, they were not sufficient to warrant him to develop.
Mr. Buse was married in' Denver to Miss Kate Kessebourg, a native of Franklin, Iowa. but she died in Leadville, leaving three children; Archie, who resides in Camp Clark, Neb .; Ew- ing, who has charge of a ranch in Fowler, Colo .; and Alpha. In 1888 Mr. Buse married Miss Della Sprains, who was born in LaCrosse, Wis. Her father, Deidrich Sprains, was born in Mech- lenburg, Germany, and came to this country, settling in Wisconsin, whence he moved to El- dora, Iowa. Her mother, whose maiden name was Dora Stack, was also born in Germany, and her grandfather Stack was an old settler in Wis- consin. Mr. and Mrs. Sprains have three chil- dren: Mrs. Buse, Emily and Fred, who still reside at Eldora, Iowa, the latter being a grad- tate of the State Normal at Cedar Falls, Iowa. Mr. Buse has been a member of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows for the past twenty- six years, and is a charter member of Lodge No. 7 of El Reno. He also belongs to the Macca- bees, andhis wife is a member and vice-president of the Rebekahs. In politics he is a stanch Republican of the Lincoln type.
R EV. JOHN C. POWELL. From his early manhood the subject of this article has been an carnest and effective worker in the Master's vineyard, finding his greatest hap- piness in the noble task of promoting the cause of Christianity. He has been blessed in his endeavor to uplift humanity, and wherever he has gone his influence has been felt as a power for good. Many of his friends and sincere ad- mirers will enjoy a sketch of his career, and ac- cordingly the following facts have been gleaned in regard to the honored citizen:
Born July 9, 1831. a son of Joseph and Sarali (Paul) Powell, he is a native of New Lisbon. Ohio, and was two years old when he was taken to Portage county, same state. Thence the fam- ily removed to Wayne county, Ohio, where the father, a cabinet-maker by trade, purchased a farm. Upon finishing his studies in the country
J. M. SHARPLESS, M. D., Perkins.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
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schools, our subject taught in his own district for one term, and then became a student in Canaan Union Academy. Subsequently he went to Hiram College (then known as the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute), after which he again engaged in teaching.
An important step in the life of Mr. Powell was his marriage, July 13, 1856, to Miss Jo- sephine C. Stauber, in Louisa county, Iowa. He had made her acquaintance in Wayne county, Ohio, and after his marriage resided in Louisa county, Iowa, for some years. She was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Dr. C. Stauber.
At the age of sixteen Mr. Powell was con- verted, becoming a member of the Church of Christ at Wooster, Ohio, and October 16, 1858, was ordained as a minister in the Disciples or Christian Church. For twenty-seven years he was actively occupied in preaching the gospel in different parts of Iowa, including Big Springs, Lancaster, Morning Sun, Springfield, Paris and West Liberty, at the last-named place organizing a church. About two hundred persons' were taken into the membership of the churches over which he presided in Iowa. Then he settled in Liberal, Mo., where he preached the first ser- mon delivered in the town, and then he organ- ized a church at that point. Later, going to Sumner county, Kans., he carried on a farm and organized a congregation- near Milan, also oc- cupying the pulpits of different churches of that locality. During the five years which followed he resided in Cowley county, Kans., and, as for so many years before, preached and "did good as he had opportunity." Leaving Kansas, he came to Cleveland county, Okla., to dwell seven years ago. Buying his homestead, the north- east quarter of section 31, township 10, range 4 west, he commenced making good improve- ments, and since that time has developed a fine farm here. Never failing in his interest in the spreading of Christianity, he still does whatever he can, teaching and preaching, and putting into daily practice the grand principles of the Great Teacher.
In order to fit himself for his appointed life- work, Mr. Powell went to Hiram College (Gar- field's Alma Mater) in 1867, and pursued a spe- cial course of study, attending lectures on the Bible. While there, he accompanied the other members of his class to Nelson Ledges, and there, on the great rock of that beautiful glen, the Freedmen's Missionary Society was organ- ized under the leadership of Isaac Errett, editor of the "Christian Standard." Mr. Powell voted first for Zachary Taylor, and identified himself with the Republican party at its organization, of late years being affiliated with the Prohibition- ists.
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Fourteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Powell, and eleven of the number survive, hon- ored and upright citizens. The eldest, Joseph C., a successful physician, died at Portland, Ore .. in his thirty-ninth year. Charles K., Artie J .. William D., Gaylord H. and John C. (twins), Maude and Harry Garfield live in this territory. the younger ones at home, and Charles K. in Oklahoma county. The eldest daughter, Mrs. Sarah C. Hanna, is the wife of a minister at New- ton, Iowa, and the next daughter, Mrs. Eva H. Hurd, resides in Eugene, Ore. A son died in infancy, and Frank A. departed this life in his eighteenth year, at Winfield, Kans. George F. is a business man of Fort Smith, Ark., and Hor- ace M. is a farmer and teacher. All are a credit to their honored parents, and the influences which surrounded them in childhood will have a far-reaching power for good in their own lives and in the lives of those with whom they are associated.
J. M. SHARPLESS, M. D. From the humble cabin of a pioneer farm have come many of the men who have achieved fame and fortune in the United States, and history has so often repeated itself in this respect that it is al- most proverbial that the farms furnish the ma- jority of the citizens of whom we are proud as a nation. For a quarter of a century and more, the subject of this article has been a successful practitioner in his chosen field of usefulness, continually adding fresh laurels to his large store. He was born in a rude log cabin in Ohio, the humble house not even possessing a wooden floor. His father, John Sharpiess, a na- tive of England, came to the United States in his boyhood, and, with his parents, settled in a little-improved part of Ohio, where land was inexpensive. There he grew to maturity and chose Martha McNabb for his life's companion. Their son, J. M., was born in 1845, and eight years later the family removed to Greene county, Ind., where nine years were passed in agricul- tural pursuits. During the Civil war, in 1862. they settled in McLean county, Ill .. where the children received better educational advantages.
After completing the curriculum of the district schools, Dr. Sharpless pursued a high-school course at Fairbury, devoting four years to the work, as required. He then went to Blooming- ton. Ill., where he further fitted himself in spe- cial branches, in the normal school. During his residence in Fairbury he determined to em- bark in the medical profession, and in his leisure hours studied under the guidance of Drs. Rob- inson and Booth, of that place. In 1871 he en- tered the Missouri Medical College, at St. Louis, and then went to Montgomery county, Kans.,
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where he was engaged in practice for about six years. In 1879 he was graduated from the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, which at that time was one of the best medical colleges in the middle states. He then resumed his professional labors in Montgomery county. When Sedan was made the county seat of Chautauqua county, Kans., he removed to that promising little city, and was actively occu- pied in practice until two years ago, when he settled in Perkins. He has steadily risen in his profession and enjoys a large and lucrative pat- ronage from the leading families of this place.
In 1872 Dr. Sharpless married Miss Agnes R. Bradley, daughter of George and Martha Bradley, of Montgomery county, Kans. Their three children, John, M. Madge and Edward L., are yet living at home, and are popular young people in social circles. Mrs. Sharpless is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the other members of the family aid in the general work of the organization. The doctor was a charter member of Sedan Lodge No. 141, I. O. O. F., of Sedan, Kans. In national elec- tions he has given his support to the nominees of the Democratic party.
M AT JONES, the owner of section 19, town- ship 11, range 3, settled upon his present farm March 7, 1890, and has been actively ·engaged in tilling the soil ever since, being now recognized as one of the capable farmers of Greeley township, Oklahoma county. He is a native of Whitley county, Ky., and a son of James and Vina Jones.
Itham Jones, our subject's grandfather, was a native of South Carolina, and became one of the pioneer settlers of Kentucky. James Jones was also born in South Carolina, and was a lad of twelve years when his father moved to Ken- tucky. He remembered seeing his father have many skirmishes with the Indians. A farmer . throughout his entire active career, he was very successful, and died in 1867. His wife, whose family name was Stanfield, was a native of Ken- tucky, and they had a family of thirteen children, of whom nine are still living.
Mat Jones resided on the old homestead in Kentucky until he settled in Oklahoma, and there he carried on farming and dealing exten- sively in cattle. He also owned and operated a grist and saw mill, which he sold in 1890, after operating the same for a score of years. He also disposed of his farm, and in Oklahoma City lived until he had a house erected on his present farm. One hundred and ten acres of the land are under plow, principally in wheat and corn, and there is an orchard containing over two hundred fruit-bearing trees. In addition to gen-
cral farming he raises considerable stock, using most of his land as pasture and meadow. Dur- ing all the years he has made farming his occu- pation he has met with a high degree of success. He has many acquaintances in his township and is esteemed as a good neighbor and citizen.
In politics Mr. Jones is a Republican, and has always lent his influence to furthering the inter- ests of his party. In his native county in Ken- tucky he served a term as constable. Relis iously he and his family are members of ti .. Baptist Church. He married Miss Mary J. Ad- kins, by whom he has six children: Banner: Hiram Speed; Henry Clay; George Quincy ; Maggie, the wife of Thomas J. Patrick; and Mat Blaine.
E. F. MOYER. As a journeyman blacksmith in his younger days, Mr. Moyer saw a great many sides of life, and picked up a great deal of information during his travels in almost every state and territory in the Union. His principal stopping places were in Omaha, St. Joe and Kansas City, and for six years he worked at his trade in Atkinson, Holt county, Neb. Born in Cumberland county, Pa., Novem- ber 9, 1868, he is a son of Fred Moyer, who was `a native of Hamburg, Germany, and upon com- ing to America settled in Pennsylvania. After a few years he removed to Livingston county, Ill., and in 1879 went to Crawford county, Kans. He is now living in Fredericksburg, Tex., as is also his wife, who was formerly Catherine Zass, also a native of Germany.
E. F. Moyer is the youngest in a family of three sons and one daughter. When only eight years of age he began to shift for himself, and finally drifted into learning the blacksmith's trade at Dwight, Ill. His apprenticeship lasted for eighteen months, after which began his extended journeyings over the continent. In 1891 he en- gaged as blacksmith for the Rock Island Rail- road, during the building of the road from Minco to Fort Worth.
In April of 1893 Mr. Moyer resigned his posi- tion with the railroad and came to Oklahoma. Opening a shop in Guthrie, he operated it with a fair degree of success until September of the same year, when he permanently settled in Perry. On the afternoon of the 16th of Septem- ber he located on his lot, and the following Mon- day commenced to build his shop on B street. In 1896 he purchased the site of his present business, and erected the building, which is 25x150 feet in dimensions. In connection with his blacksmithing enterprises he builds carriages, and the second story of his shop is used for that purpose.
For some years after locating at Perry, Mr.
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Moyer was the partner of H. C. Wallerstedt, the business being conducted under the firm name of Wallerstedt, Moyer & Co. Mr. Moyer has also dealt considerably in real estate, and owns, besides his comfortable and commodious resi- dence, seven other houses, which he rents.
In Guthrie, Okla., Mr. Moyer married Bell Baker, a native of Kentucky. In politics he is a Republican, and, although not partial to office, has served his township in various capacities. For two years he was councilman from the third ward. He enjoys the confidence of all who know him and is accounted one of Perry's most reliable and enterprising citizens.
A. W. HOLLAND, M. D., is successfully engaged in the practice of the medical profession in Oklahoma City. As a phy- sician, his many years of experience, combined with a superior training secured in medical col- leges, qualify him for the successful handling of the most complicated cases in general practice.
Dr. Holland was born in Wayne county, N. C., January 24, 1855, and is of Scotch-Irish de- scent. He traces his ancestry back to the May- flower, his family early settling in the state of Massachusetts. His great-grandfather was a planter of North Carolina. His grandfather, Elisha Holland, who was born in Wayne county, N. C., and was a planter, served in the war of 1812. West Holland, the father of our subject, was born in Wayne county, N. C., and for some years was a planter there. During the Civil war he served in the Confederate army with the .North Carolina Guard. In 1869 he settled in Cowley county, Kans., where he took up a claim and lived until 1899. At that time he moved to Chandler, Okla., where he now leads a retired life. He was united in marriage with Sallie Grice, who comes of a prominent family of Wayne county, N. C. Thirteen children were born of the union, of whom eleven are now iiv- ing, there being three sisters and three brothers , in Oklahoma. Dr. C. G. Holland is a retired physician in Blackwell. C. C. Holland was an attorney-at-law at Guthrie for many years, but is now serving in the war department at Wash- ington, D. C. A. C. Holland was the second mayor of Perry, where he still resides.
From North Carolina in 1869 A. W. Holland accompanied the family to Cowley county, Kans. He lived on the farm and attended the public schools. At the age of twenty-one years he began the study of medicine, assisting his brother, who was a practicing physician. After completing the course in the medical department of the University of Louisville he was gradu- ated, in 1880, with the degree of M. D. He en- gaged in practice in Cowley county, Kans., until
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