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 72
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Judge E. L. Lemert, born September 22, 1845, is one of eight brothers and sisters who grew to maturity, and two others died when young He was reared on a farm and attended the old- fashioned district log schoolhouse, where slab benches, and desks placed against the wall, quill pens, and other attributes of the "deestrick" school were matters-of-course. In 1859 he en- tered Hiram Institute (now risen to the distinc- tion of College), James A. Garfield being presi- dent of the same at that time. In the fall of 1860, and winter following, our subject taught school in Licking county, Ohio, and was simi- larly occupied until the spring of 1861.
Returning to Hiram, Ohio, the young school- master was pursuing his studies in the higher branches when the Civil war broke out, and, with his fellow-students, headed by Garfield, the future chief-executive of the United States, or- ganized a company, which was mustered in as Company A, Forty-second Ohio Volunteer In- fantry., at Columbus, September 20, 1861, and on the roth of the following January, the Forty- second (which comprised a portion of the com- mand), defeated the Confederate officer, at Pres- tonsburg, driving him out of Kentucky, and this success was the cause of Garfield's promo- tion to a brigadier-generalship. Then sent to Louisville, they were placed under command of Gen. G. W. Morgan, and took Cumberland Gap June 19, 1862, holding it, while Generals Bragg and Buell were making a race towards Louis- ville. At this time. Kirby Smith's forces in- tercepted the supplies, and the unfortunate Forty-second was forced to march two hun- dred miles, with only such rations as could be found in that desolate region traversed. Sub- sequently, the regiment was sent to the aid of Gen. J. D. Cox, in West Virginia, and in De- cember was ordered to the scene of the Siege of Vicksburg. Placed in command of Gen. W.
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T. Sherman, that branch of the Federal army made the famous charge, by way of Chickasaw Bayou, which resulted in the loss of about two- thirds of the poor boys in blue. This disastrous defeat was balanced by the great victory achieved within less than a month from that time, when, under General McClernand, the Forty-second and other troops captured Arkan- sas Post, and seven thousand Confederates. Re- turning to Young's Point, just across the river from Vicksburg, our subject and his comrades took part anew in the siege of that city, and later, they were in the battles of Raymond, Port Gibson and Champion Hills. In the last-named engagement, young Lemert was wounded in the hip and in the left fore-arm, the bone being shat- tered. Left in the field-hospital, by Grant's army, which was rapidly pushing forward, the wounded were captured by some of the Con- federate cavalry, but, evidently deciding not to burden themselves with disabled men, they re- leased them on parole. After spending some time in the Memphis hospital, Mr. Lemert was sent to the parole camp at Camp Chase, Ohio, and in September, 1863, he was exchanged and joined his regiment near Opelousas, La. That winter he participated in the military operations and expeditions in Mississippi, and continued in active service until September 30, 1864. He was honorably discharged and was mustered out of the army at Columbus, Ohio.
Resuming his interrupted studies at Hiram Institute, Mr. Lemert spent two years there and then engaged in teaching. In the winter of 1875-6 he attended the University of Michigan, where he took a course of law and in the Cen- tennial year was admitted to the bar of Iowa. Before going to the university, he had carried on a farm near Perryton, Ohio, and traded the place for an Iowa farm. He was connected with a Mr. Sears in the law business, in that state, and was associated with other prominent lawyers, also being alone in practice for sev- eral years. In the city council of Marshalltown he officiated for two years, and, as stated at the beginning of this sketch, he was his county's representative in the Nineteenth general assem- bly of Iowa, when he was chairman of the com- mittee on constitutional amendments, and was a member of the committees on judiciary and rail- roads, municipal corporation and congressional districts. While engaged in law practice and public service, Mr. Lemert also was interested in farming, and on his homestead made a spe- cialty of raising thoroughbred cattle. Unfor- tunately, when the great decrease in market prices for fine stock was felt in 1884, he owned large herds and by 1891 had lost nearly all of his means, for, in addition to his personal losses, he had to meet the penalty of endorsement for
others, who, likewise, had suffered in the de cline. Desiring to change his fortunes, he came to Oklahoma in the spring of 1892, and carried on a law practice in Stillwater until September 16, 1893, when he located a claim in Pawnee township, seven miles northeast of Pawnee, on Crystal Creek. He has made his home there ever since, and has developed a fine homestead from the wild tract. In the meantime he has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession in Pawnee, and in November, 1894, was elected to the office of judge of the pro- bate court, the first elective official to act in that capacity in this county, and as such he served until January, 1897.
In Knox county, Ohio, Judge Lemert mar- ried Miss Harriet E. Van Voorhis, daughter of E. C. Van Voorhis. She is a native of the county mentioned, while her father was born in New York state. Beverly, eldest child of the Judge and wife, carries on an adjoining farm. Paul, the next son, operates a ranch near Stew- art, Neb., and Townsend is a farmer of this county. Laura, wife of Thomas T. Wortham, lives in Pawnee, and Henry is a student in the Agricultural & Mechanical College at Stillwater. The younger children are at home, namely: Mary, Ellen, Edward, Milo and Nathan. Mr. and Mrs. Lemert are members of the Christian Church of Pawnee, the former being one of its trustees.
S. B. BERRY. Almost continually since ar- riving at the threshold of manhood, S. B. Berry has been connected with banking en- terprises, for which he seems specially adapted by nature and training. One of the first to en- gage in banking in Oklahoma after it was opened to civilization, he also was a pioneer in Pawnee, where he has been a leader in every- thing making for progress. Practically, he may be called a "charter member" of nearly all im- portant enterprises started here, having a direct bearing on the welfare of the public, in general.
A son of Samuel and Mary A. (Graham) Berry, our subject is of English-Scotch descent, though several generations of both families have dwelt in America. The Berrys lived in Virginia and Kentucky, and the father of Samuel Berry was one of the early settlers of Illinois, where he took part in the Blackhawk war. He lived for years and died, upon a farm in Macoupin county. His widow, whose name in girihood was Eliza A. Lincolnfeller, died in El Dorado, Kans,, in her seventy-ninth year. Samuel L. Berry was born in Illinois, and at the time of the Civil war was connected with the Carlin- ville newspaper. He enlisted in an Illinois regi- ment, and held the position of quartermaster,
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WALTER E. BRADY. Blackburn
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but, while the war was in progress, he returned home on a furlough, and died, just in the prime of early manhood. His young widow, whose only child, S. B., was an infant, subsequently married S. J. Peter, and now resides in Okla- homa, where eight of their children live. One is deceased, one in Missouri and one in Kansas. Mrs. Peter's father, William Graham, who came of an old New England family, was born in Pennsylvania, and lived to attain his seventy- fifth year. He was a pioneer druggist and apotli- ecary in Carlinville, and his grandson, William E. Graham, still owns and manages the business.
The birth of S. B. Berry took place in Carim- ville, Ill., February 8, 1863. When he was seven years old he accompanied his mother to El Dorado, Kans., and they settled upon a farm situated twenty miles from that place, in But- ler county. A postoffice was later established in their house, the same being known as Bry- ant, and the mother was the first postmistress of the place. S. B. Berry completed his educa- tion in the State Agricultural College, at Man- hattan, Kans., and in Winfield (Kans.) College, also pursuing a commercial course. In the meantime, he taught schools in his own county, and for some time was employed as a clerk in Douglass, Kans. In 1883 he first became asso- ciated with a banking business, acting as a book- keeper in the bank at Douglass, where he re- mained for seven or eight years. Then, for a year, he was a student in Winfield College, as already noted.
Ten years ago Mr. Berry came to Guthrie, and, as he was not acquainted there, accepted a place in the Commercial Bank, and was rather disgusted when it failed three months later. He soon became bookkeeper, and then paying teller, in the Guthrie National Bank, resigning in order to come to Pawnee. On that memorable Sep- tember 16, 1893, he located a lot here, about one hundred feet west of his present bank. Putting up a tent, he commenced selling gro- " ceries and hardware that same afternoon, for he had brought two loads of goods. Thus he was the first merchant ready for business in the town, and for three months he continued to oc- cupy the tent. Then taking a partner, the firm of Berry & Baird was organized, and the frame building, 25x40 feet, which they built and stocked with their goods, is still used as a store by Mr. Baird, to whom our subject sold out after they had been in partnership for about a year.
April 17, 1894, the Bank of Pawnee was opened, and Mr. Berry was employed to open the books of the institution, and continued with the house for nearly a year, then being elected cashier. In .October, 1899, the bank was changed into the First National Bank of Pawnee. and the capital increased from $12,500 to $50,000.
The bank enjoys a large share of the patronage of the people of this section, and is included in the Territorial Banking Association. To Mr. Berry's wise management of its affairs, in the capacity of cashier, much of its success must be attributed.
Since becoming a citizen of Pawnee, Mr. Berry has been the treasurer of the board of education, and a handsome high school and others have' been constructed under his general supervision. He was one of the charter mem- bers of the Commercial Club, and is president of the same. In politics, he is an ardent Re- publican, and socially, he is a Knight . of Pythias, and belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. One of the members and trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he also has been the superintendent of the Sunday- school ever since its organization, save for one year.
In Douglass, Kans., the marriage of Mr. Berry and Miss Ada Pouton was solemnized in 1886. She was born in Danville, Va., and is a daughter of Rudolph Pouton, a native of North Carolina. He followed the business of contracting and building, and was one of the pioneers of Kan- sas, though his present home is in Lincoln county, Okla. The seven children who bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Berry are named as follows: Lena, Mildred, Claude and Clarence (twins), Ernest, Naomi and Harold.
W ALTER E. BRADY, the genial and suc- cessful owner and manager of the largest general merchandise store in Blackburn, has been a resident of the territory since April, 1894. From a comparatively small beginning he has kept pace with the growing demands of a promising town, and seized upon the oppor- tunity which represents an imperative demand. At first a meat-market of circumscribed propor- tions, the business was enlarged in October of 1899, and now includes a stock of general mer- chandise, a feed-mill, cotton-gin, and sawmill. While thus placing himself in touch with the various requirements of the community Mr. Brady has won the confidence of all by his up- right business methods and his oft-evinced re- liability.
A native of Franklin county, Iowa, Mr. Brady was born in 1863, and is a son of Walter and Elizabeth Brady, natives respectively of Penn- sylvania and Indiana. The father was a me- chanic and farmer, and his useful and industrious life was terminated in Indiana in 1885. His wife survived him until 1887. The youth of their son Walter was spent as are the boyhood dass of the average farmer's son. He learned to be a model farmer, and derived his education at the
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public schools. At the age of twenty he mar- ried Eva Hanna, of Franklin county, Iowa. Of the children subsequently born of this union Orpha died at the age of sixteen, in Oklahoma, Roscoe is a clerk in his father's store; Vearl died in Kansas when two years of age.
When old enough to shift for himself Mr. Brady engaged in farming in Indiana, and in 1889 left the state of his birth and came to Con- way Springs, Sumner county, Kans., and be- came interested in the merchandise business, after a short period of general farming. This occupation continued until he took up his per- manent residence in Blackburn.
In national politics Mr. Brady believes in the principles and issues of the Democratic party. He is not an office-seeker, however, believing that he owes to his business interests the greater portion of his time and efforts. He cast his first presidential vote for Hancock. Mrs. Brady died in Sumner county, Kans., February 11, 1892. October 11, 1895, Mr. Brady was united in matrimony with Alta Wadsworth, of Blackburn, who died in February of 1897. Mr. Brady has done much for the general advancement of his adopted town, and is interested in all that per- tains to its betterment and development.
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A ATHAN B. CHISM. The most advanced and enterprising agricultural enterprises in Pottawatomie county are ably repre- sented by Mr. Chism, who brings to bear upon his occupation as a tiller of the soil a compre- hensive knowledge of all departments of the work and a general knowledge of business methods, gained by long years of experience. On his father's farm in Monroe county, Ky., Mr. Chism was born March 23, 1838. His par- ents, Nathan and Martha (Ray) Chism, were progressive and industrious farmers, and trained their son to an appreciation of the dignity and usefulness of a farmer's life. After diligent ap- plication at the public schools, he began, at the age of twenty-one, to teach school, which occu- pation was later discarded for a mercantile business at Marrowbone, Cumberland county. Many incidents in connection with his life at Marrowbone are strikingly fresh in the memory of Mr. Chism. During the war especially his lines were not always thrown in pleasant places, nor were his goods and chattels easy of protec- tion. In fact, he lost considerable money and goods as a result of the war, both armies help- ing themselves to what they wanted. For hours he has stood with the roar of artillery over his head, in the attempt to protect his wares from destruction and purloining. He was serving as assessor for Monroe county, and while doing his duty was taken by Hamilton's men, who had
every intention of retaining him, and his deliv- erance was effected only when they discovered who he was.
In 1880 Mr. Chism removed to Wellington, Sumner county, Kans., where for three years he represented an eastern loan company, and in 1889 removed to Oklahoma City, where he lived until the opening of the Sac and Fox res- ervations. He then came to Pottawatomie county and purchased the land upon which he has since successfully conducted his farming enterprises. The first residence occupied by the family was a one-story frame structure, fourteen by twenty-four feet dimensions, which was later substituted for the present home, which is also one story, sixteen by twenty-eight feet. The farm is well improved and fitted with all modern and labor-saving devices, and has among other advantages a . five-acre orchard, wherein are grown many varieties of fruit.
In Cumberland county, September 19, 1867, Mr. Chism was united in marriage with Mary Emma Alexander, a daughter of Dr. John and Elizabeth (McDaniel) Alexander. Mrs. Chism has a good common-school education and is the mother of six children: James Edwin, who is a farmer in Lincoln county, is married and has three children; Anna Mary is the wife of Thorn- ton Fletcher, has one child, and lives in Lin- coln county; Charles is living at home; Robert M., Harry and Otis. The three youngest chil- dren were born in Kansas and the others in Kentucky. Mr. Chism is a devoted adherent of the Democratic party, but has no desire for offi- cial recognition. From his childhood years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
J. T. CRAIG. In perusing the histories of sticcessful men, how often is one reminded of the wise saying of the great poet, "there is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune." Happy is the man, who is prepared, by nature and education, to grasp the opportunity at the instant of its presentation, and, with all the powers of his mind, molds and adapts himself to his new du- ties. J. T. Craig's life, at least, until recently, has been very quiet and retired, yet the fidelity and perseverance which he manifested, commended him to his neighbors and acquaintances, and now he is on the high road leading to distinc- tion, and, possibly, fortune.
The grandfathers of J. T. Craig were num- bered among the early settlers of Missouri, and his parents, J. H. and Emma J. (Warford) Craig, were born in Howard county, Mo., and among their ancestors were Scotch, English and Welsh people. John Wesley, father of J. H. Craig,
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A.G.Brown
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plainly a descendant of a Scottish clan, was born in Virginia, and when Missouri was considered a frontier state he located a homestead in How- ard county. Thomas Warford, father of Mrs. Emma W. Craig, came from the East to the same part of Missouri, and during the Civil war he enlisted and served in the Confederate army. J. H. Craig, who carried on farming near Fayette, Mo., until 1891, then settled near Orlando, Okla., and of late years has lived upon his claim near Pawnee. Of his eight children, one is deceased, and the others are all living in this territory.
The birth of J. T. Craig occurred on the old homestead in Howard county, Mo., February 10. 1872. He was reared in the practical pursuits of a farmer, and received his elementary education in the "little red school-house" of his district. Nine years ago, he came to Oklahoma, and for three years thereafter was employed as a clerk in a general store at Orlando. In 1894 he came to Pawnee county, and leased school lands, upon which he made good improvements. The property, situated six miles south of Pawnee, proved well adapted for the raising of live stock and a general line of crops, and the young man prospered, as he richly deserved to do.
For two years, Mr. Craig served in his own community as deputy assessor. In April, 1900, he was honored by appointment to the office of treasurer of Pawnee county, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of N. J. Green, the late esteemed county treasurer. As was confidently expected, Mr. Craig made a fine record, and met every requirement of his responsible position with promptness and excellent system. In his political faith he is a Populist, and is a mem- ber of the county central committee of the same, and has attended the territorial convention as a delegate. In his religious faith he adheres to the teaching of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is a trustee of the Pawnee Circuit.
A NDREW J. BROWN was for many years a railroad contractor, but since 1896 he has followed the occupation of a farmer in Oklahoma township, Oklahoma county, and though he laid claim to his present property in July, 1889, he was not allowed to reside upon it until 1896, as its ownership was being contested. He was born in 1858. in Knoxville, Tenn., and during early youth followed farm pursuits. In 1877 he went to Fort Worth, Tex. At that time the Texas Pacific was the only railroad in that section of the state. He engaged in the construc- tion of railroads, his first work being on the Texas Central, between Waco and Albany.
Afterward he worked for the following railway companies: Iron Mountain, in old Mexico;
Texas & Southern, and Gainesville & Henrietta. On the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway he constructed the road between Fort Worth and Gainesville and between Barringer and St. An- gelo; and on the Arkansas & Kansas Valley Railroad built three miles of road in the Chero- kee Nation. He discontinued railroad con- structing in 1889, and on the 22nd of April came to Oklahoma City, where he purchased two lots and there he continued to reside in his newly erected home for the following two years.
When the courts decided him the rightful owner of his present farm, in 1896, he at once commenced making improvements upon the same, and he now has a fine farm. About sixty acres are under the plow. He has erected a new house and barn, and has set out thirty acres in an orchard, which contains about six hundred peach trees, a large number of apple, cherry and plum trees, and his vineyard has about five hundred ·vines. In connection with general farming, he is interested in various other branches of busi- ness.
Mr. Brown is an active Republican, but does not aspire to office. At Fort Smith, Ark., in 1887, he was joined in marriage with Miss Jennie Green, a native of Dyer county, Tenn., and a daughter of Roland Green. Four children, now living, have been born to them, namely: Addie C., Nellie May, Clarence E. and Edna S.
C HARLES G. PETER is fortunately en- gaged in a line of business for which there is invariably a demand in all growing and undeveloped communities. As a groceryman in Pawnee he finds a ready sale for his wares from the public, and as a dealer in agricultural implements, he is the particular friend and helper of the farmer. Being thus launched upon a sea of prosperity, he has won his way to the confidence of the citizens, who appreciate his upright and progressive methods of con- ducting business, and his amiability in the mat- ter of trying to please.
A native of Carlinville, Ill., Mr. Peter was born in 1872, and is a son of S. J. and Mary A. Peter, who have spent their useful and in- dustrious lives as farmers, and are now living in Pawnee. The first eleven years of their son Charles' life was spent in Bryant, Kans., where his father, S. J. Peter, was postmaster and farmer combined. The youth received his schooling here and at Douglas, Kans., whither he later removed, and, aside from the common schools. went to the high school, but did not graduate. January 8, 1892, he sought the larger possibili- ties of the far west, and engaged in the flour milling business in California, which he con-
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tinued until August of 1893. Upon returning to Kansas, he entered a commercial college at Winfield, of that state, and after completing the course came to Pawnee in June of 1894. For a time he engaged as a clerk, and was then associated in the capacity of assistant book- keeper, with the First National Bank. Desiring to be in an independent business, he located in December of 1897 on the site where he has since so successfully catered to the public wants as a dealer in hardware, tinware, graniteware, staple and fancy groceries. In the department of agricultural implements, Mr. Peter is in part- nership with W. S. Caldwell. He has added to his own convenience, and to the appearance of the town by erecting a commodious and com- fortable house, and has in various ways evinced a substantial and abiding interest in all that pertains to the upbuilding of his adopted town. November 2, 1897, Mr. Peter married Effie J. Burnett, a daughter of George and Mary Bur- nett of Logansport, Ind. Of this union there is one child, Ina Lea, who was two years old October 6, 1900. In national politics Mr. Peter claims allegiance to the Republican party, but entertains very liberal views regarding the pol- itics of the administration. He usually votes for the man who seems best qualified to fill the posi- tion. Fraternally he is associated with the Mod- ern Woodmen of America, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Of these orders he is a charter member of the Pawnee posts, and holds the position of clerk in both. In the religious life of the town himself and wife are prominent workers in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a trustee, and to the maintenance of which he is a generous con- tributor.
H ARRY N. BARTLETT. By the exercise of his skill as a conscientious and pains- taking builder and contractor, Mr. Bartlett has received the patronage and encouragement of a large part of the community of Pawnee. "Many of the finest and most substantial build- ings in the town are monuments of his superior methods of construction, and the outlying towns and counties have also profited by his nearness, for some of their most ambitious erections. In Pawnee, the principal buildings credited to Mr. Bartlett are, the Opera House, ice plant, Cen- tury block, I. K. Berry's building, Reed block and residence, Mrs. Hill's rooming house, Dr. Bagby's residence, high school building, and many others. During the greater part of his residence in the city Mr. Bartlett has been in partnership with T. M. Grant. The firm have also constructed the schoolhouses at Osage City, Cleveland and Harmony, besides many
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