FALLS TOWNSHIP.
SAMUEL B. HARVEY, stock-farmer, Section 26, Township 19, Range 8, P. O.
Strong City, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, July 22, 1831. His father,
Henry Harvey, came to Kansas in 1840, as a Quaker missionary to the Shawnee
Indians, remaining three years. The first language learned by Samuel B., was
the Shawnee, learned while a child, in Ohio, where his father was a
missionary to that tribe before their removal to Kansas. In 1850, his father
again came to Kansas, appointed Government Agent by President Taylor, to the
Osage tribe. Since that time the subject of this sketch has made Kansas his
home. He was educated in the Government Indian Schools. In August, 1854,
upon the opening of Kansas lands to settlers, he pre-empted 160 acres in
Wabaunsee County, at the present location of the village of Harveyville,
named in honor of his father. He remained upon this farm about twelve years,
then removed to Dade County, Mo., where he remained about five years, engaged
in farming. He then returned to Kansas, locating in Coffey County, whence he
removed to Colorado three years later, remaining there until 1880, most of
the time holding office in Gunnison County, as County Clerk, and ex
officio Recorder of Deeds. he came to his present location, at the
junction of the South Fork of the Cottonwood River with the main stream, in
the fall of 1880. In partnership with his son-in-law, A. Hinkle, he started a
stock-farm. They have 150 acres in the home- farm, and 500 acres of grazing
land about two miles east. They have made extensive improvements upon the
place, have about ninety acres under cultivation, fifty acres of timber land,
most of which has been successfully sowed with blue grass, the remainder of
their land being used for grazing purposes. They have about thirty head of
thoroughbred short-horn cattle, and about 100 head of good graded stock. Mr.
Harvey was the second Sheriff of Wabaunsee County under Territorial
Government, and has since held several Township and local offices in Kansas.
He is well pleased with Kansas as a farming country, and intends to remain
upon his present location during life. Mr. Harvey married Miss Elizabeth C.
Akins, of Cass County, Mo., June 2, 1853; she died January 24, 1855, leaving
one child - Elizabeth A., now living.
ARCHIBALD MILLER, stock-farmer, Section 25, Township 19, Range 8, P. O.
Cottonwood Falls, was born in County of Antrim, Ireland, September 12, 1833;
came to the United States in 1854, located first in Michigan, whence he came
to Kansas in October, 1857. In the spring of 1858 he settled upon his present
location, and pre-empted 160 acres of land, which he began at once to
improve. He was one of the earliest settlers on the South Fork of the
Cottonwood River, and has remained upon his claim ever since his first
location. He has made additional purchases of land and now has in his farm
800 acres. He has made valuable improvements upon his farm, including a
substantial stone dwelling, a large stone barn and other farm buildings, and
an orchard of about three acres. He has about 200 acres under cultivation, 80
acres of timber land, about 100 acres of good hay producing land, and uses
the remainder for grazing purposes. He is quite extensively engaged in
raising cattle, horses, hogs, and sheep. Has a herd numbering about 200 head,
some thoroughbred cattle, and his sheep are of a high grade of the cotswold
breed. Mr. Miller is a stockholder and director in the Chase County National
Bank. He is an attendant of the United Presbyterian Church of which Mrs.
Miller is a member. He is a member of the Board of Commissioners of Chase
County, and has held every office in the township, from member of School
Board to Trustee and Treasurer. He married Miss Mary McNee, of Lyon County,
July 23, 1868, by which marriage he has had seven children, of whom John,
Jane, Archibald Jr., James M., George H. and William S., are now living.
CHARLES McDOWELL, farmer, Section 17, Township 19, Range 8, P. O. Cottonwood
Falls, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, December 28, 1816, locating first
in Belmont County, Ohio, where he remained engaged in farming until he came
to Kansas in the spring of 1871. Located on the Cottonwood River, two miles
northwest of Cottonwood Falls and purchased eighty acres of land. He has
since made additional purchases and now owns 360 acres, upon which he has
made valuable improvements, including a commodious and substantial stone
dwelling house and other necessary farm buildings. His principal crop is
corn, but he also raises wheat, cattle, horses and hogs. His land is all fine
bottom land, and very productive. Mr. McDowell is a member of the United
Presbyterian Church. He is a Democrat in politics, and has held some local
offices. He was married to Miss Isabella Clements of County Tyrone, March 5,
1841, by which marriage he has had seven children, of whom Ellen, James G.,
Anna M., Charles C., John and William D. are now living.
GIDEON C. MILLAR, stock-farmer, Section 11, Township 20, Range 8, P. O.
Cottonwood Falls, was born in Scioto County, Ohio, July 9, 1848. When he was
four years old his parents removed to Sangamon County, Ill., where he was
raised on a farm. He received a good common school education and graduated
from the National Union Commercial College, at Springfield, Ill., in March,
1868. After attaining his majority, he engaged in stock business in Sangamon
County, continuing until the spring of 1873, when he came to Kansas, located
in Falls Township, on the South Fork of the Cottonwood River, where he has
since resided. He has made purchases of land at different times until he now
has in his farm 2,880 acres, all fenced with stone or wire. He has placed
valuable improvements upon his farm, including a good frame dwelling, barn
and other farm buildings; an orchard of about 600 apple and 250 pear trees
besides other fruit. From a never failing spring upon a bluff, about fifty
feet higher than his yard,. he brings water through 2,600 feet of pipe to a
reservoir holding 325 barrels, in sufficient quantity to water his stock and
supply all domestic and other requirements. Mr. Millar has on an average
about 250 head of high grade cattle in his herd. He also raises horses and
hogs. He has about 250 acres under cultivation, 175 acres of timberland, the
remainder devoted to hay and grazing purposes. Principal crop is corn. He
also has about forty acres of tame grasses. Mr. Millar is a member of
Zeradatha Lodge, No. 80, A. , F. & A. M., and of Emporia Commandry, No. 8, K.
T. He married Miss Jennie McGinnis, of Falls Township, April 13, 1875, by
whom he has two children, Charles and Nellie A., both living.
JOHN T. AND WILLIAM E. PRATHER, stock-farmers, Section 30, Township 19, Range
8, P. O. Cottonwood Falls, were born in Ross County, Ohio; where they were
brought up on a farm and remained until the spring of 1859, when they came to
Kansas with their parents, locating on Prather Creek, about one mile and a
half west of Cottonwood Falls. Here they have since resided upon 160 acres
pre- empted by their father, since deceased, 160 acres pre-empted by John T.
and other land acquired by purchase. They have at present in their farm 720
acres, of which about 200 acres are under cultivation, the remainder good
grazing land. Nearly all their land is fenced with stone, wire or hedge
fence. They operate their farm in partnership, under the firm name of John T.
Prather & Bro., and have one of the finest herds of stock in Chase County,
numbering about 350 head. They have a number of imported and thoroughbred
cattle of the Galloway, Durham, Shorthorn, Holstien (sic) and Hereford
breeds, and most of their stock is of a high grade. They also raise horses,
mules and hogs to quite an extent, and have a flock of thoroughbred and high
grade Cotswold sheep. Mrs. Prather raises a large number of Plymouth Rock
fowls, and took the second premium for poultry at the Chase County
Agricultural Fair, in the fall of 1882. Also makes a large quantity of butter
and furnishes it to private families at 20 cents per pound for the entire
year. John T. was born August 26, 1838, and married Miss Samantha J. Griffith,
of Sangamon County, Ill., June 5, 1877. William E. was born July 8, 1849.
JOHN H. SCRIBNER, farmer and stock-raiser, Section 20, Township 19, Range 8,
P. O. Cottonwood Falls, was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, October 2, 1828.
He was brought up on a farm and followed farming and stock business, in
connection with lumbering, until he came to Kansas, living most of the time
in his native county. In the spring of 1860 he located in Chase, and entered,
by land warrants, 320 acres of land, situated on Fox Creek, in Falls
Township, which he improved and farmed until 1866, when he bought 175 acres
of partly improved land, situated on the Cottonwood River, opposite
Cottonwood Falls. This he has improved by the erection of a commodious stone
dwelling, barn, stock sheds, corn cribs, granaries and other farm buildings.
Also has an orchard of about 300 apple trees, beside other fruit. He also
owns 480 acres of land in Bazaar Township, which he uses for grazing
purposes, and owns a half interest in 160 acres adjoining his ranch. He is
quite extensively engaged in stock-raising, having in his herd about 350 head
of cattle, including some thoroughbred and many high grade. He also raises
many hogs and some horses. He has about 140 acres under cultivation, raising
corn as his principal crop. His home farm is all very fine bottom land, and
its location being but a few rods from the business portion of the
county-seat makes it very valuable. Mr. Scribner was Quartermaster of the
Eight Regiment, Kansas Militia, during the war, and was called into service
upon several occasions. He is not an active politician ,but has held the
office of Sheriff of Chase County one term and has held some other local
offices. He is a member of the order of A.., F. & A. M. He has been twice
married; first, to Miss Luana Baker, of Ashtabula County, Ohio, whom he
married February 14, 1849. She died in August, 1851, leaving one child, since
deceased. He married Miss Betsey E. Hogle, of Erie County, Pa., August 24,
1852, by which marriage he has had nine children, of whom A. Z., Cora E.,
Nat. B., Lula Luma and Ridgel R. are now living.
DIAMOND CREEK TOWNSHIP.
DAVID B. BERRY, of the firm of Berry and Burton, general merchants Strong
City, and stock farmer, residence Section 4, Township 18, Range 7, P. O.
Strong City, was born March 23, 1846, at Wurtemburg, Germany. He received an
academic education in his fatherland and came to the United States in 1865.
First located in Denver, Col., and engaged in the mercantile business,
remaining there one year, and then started in business in Southern Colorado
and New Mexico, driving a four horse peddlers wagon, and trading principally
with Mexicans and Indians. After following this business about a year he
engaged in merchandising at Pueblo, Colorado, where he remained until 1873,
when he sold his interest in the store to his brother and engaged in live
stock business in Southern Colorado. In 1880 he removed part of his herds to
the Pan Handle of Texas. In the summer of 1879, he made his first purchase of
160 acres in Chase County, to which he has since added by subsequent purchases
over nine sections of land, situated at the head of Shaffer Creek and lying
partly in Chase County and partly in Morris County. He now has on his stock
farm in this State over 6,000 acres all fenced with stone and wire fence and
stocked wit one of the finest herds of Hereford and Polled Angus cattle in the
State, numbering over 600 head. He has about 400 acres of his land under
cultivation and raises sufficient corn to winter his stock. Mr. Berry also
owns land in Pueblo County, Colorado, where he has stock-raising interests. In
March, 1883, he formed a partnership with Mr. A. C. Burton, under the firm
name of Berry & Burton, who have since established at Strong City one of the
largest general merchandise establishments in the county. They occupy a large
and very fine stone store building and carry an extensive and well-selected
stock. Mr. Burton, a young man of experience and business ability, is the
resident partner, and they have already built up an extensive and prosperous
trade.
ROBERT BRASH, farmer and stock-raiser, Section 22, Township 19, Range 7, P. O.
Elmdale, was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, July 17, 1834. He came to the United
States in 1854, locating first in Schuylkill County, Pa., where he remained
about two years engaged in engineering. He then went to California and engaged
in mining, remaining five years and meeting with good success. In 1860 he came
to Kansas, locating on Middle Creek in Diamond Creek Township, where he has
ever since resided. He has a farm of 160 acres upon which he has placed many
valuable improvements, including a commodious farmhouse, barn, cattle sheds,
etc., and an orchard of three acres. He has 100 acres under cultivation,
principal crop is corn, but deals most extensively in cattle. Mr. Brash came
to this part of the State when there were but few settlers here, and has ever
since remained upon his first location, becoming firmly identified with the
interests of Elmdale and Chase County. He is a member of Zeredatha Lodge, No.
80, A., F. & A. M. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace ten years,
and has been Trustee of Diamond Creek Township twice. Mr. Brash is a
stockholder in the Chase County National Bank, of Cottonwood Falls.
JOHN R. HOLMES, farmer and stock-raiser, Section 28, Township 19, Range 7, P.
O. Elmdale, was born in Cambridgeshire, England, December 14, 1834. Came to
the United States with his parents in 1848, locating in Livingston County,
Mich. He was there engaged upon a farm the most of the time until the fall of
1869, when he came to Kansas and located in Diamond Creek Township, about two
miles southwest of Elmdale. He first purchased 160 acres of land to which he
has since added by purchase 1,600 acres. His principal interest at present is
stock-raising, although he has about 300 acres under cultivation. He has in
his herd about thirty-five head of thoroughbred shorthorns, and about 400 head
of high grade cattle. Mr. Holmes is an active Democrat in politics. He is a
member of the Zeredatha Lodge, No. 80, A., F. & A. M. He married Miss Mary E.
Lare, of Livingston County, Michigan, March 15, 1860, by whom he has had two
children, John A. and Jennie A., both living on the home farm.
WILLIAM JEFFREY, farmer and stock-raiser, Section 3, Township 19, Range 7, P.
O. Elmdale, was born May 22, 1834, in Harrison County, W. Va., where he
remained until he came to Kansas. He was raised on a farm and received a
common school education. Upon attaining his majority he studied civil
engineering and afterward followed the business of a surveyor in his native
State. In 1848 he engaged in farming, which he continued during his residence
in West Virginia. In 1854 he established himself in the mercantile business at
New Milton, Harrison County, and in addition to the operation of his farm,
conducted a general store for two years. In the spring of 1867 he came to
Kansas, locating in Lyon County, upon the Neosho River, about two miles north
of Emporia. Here he purchased a farm which he operated two and a half years.
He then sold his farm and located in Chase County, on Diamond Creek, in
Diamond Creek Township, where he has ever since resided. He has a farm of 320
acres upon which he has placed valuable improvements. He has about 100 acres
under cultivation and has an orchard containing 250 apple and 200 peach trees,
besides other fruits. He raises cattle and hogs quite extensively. His
principal crop is corn. Mr. Jeffrey is a stockholder and director of the Chase
County National Bank. He is a member of the Seventh day Baptist Church. Has
held the office of Justice of the Peace for ten years, and represented his
district in the State Legislature session of 1883. He married Miss Mary A. F.
Randolph, of Harrison County, W. Va., September 30, 1847, by which marriage he
has had ten children, of whom Phineas C., Benoni I., Joseph, John, James R.,
Ellsworth W., Clement L., Ferdinand W. and Maggie L., are now living.
PHINEAS C. JEFFREY, general merchant, Elmdale, was born in Doddridge County,
W. Va., February 24, 1850. He received a common school education and remained
in his native county until he came to Kansas in the fall of 1866. He located
in Chase County, and in the fall of 1867, went to Lyon County. He remained
there upon his fathers farm until the fall of 1869; he then settled in Elmdale
and engaged in farming in the summer, and school teaching in the winter. In
May, 1872, he established himself in business as a general merchant at
Elmdale, under the firm name of William Jeffrey & Son. His father had no
interest in the business, and his name was used only to give weight to the
standing of the firm. He has ever since been engaged in this business. In 1882
he bought an improved farm of 900 acres, situated on the Cotton wood River
about three miles southwest of Elmdale. He rents this farm on shares. He also
raises cattle and hogs, feeding the most of his crops to his own stock. He has
about 500 acres under cultivation, and 700 acres fenced. Principal crop is
corn. He carries a general stock of dry goods, groceries, clothing, boots and
shoes, notions and everything usually kept in a first class country store.
Commencing business with a capital of $235, Mr. Jeffreys has built up a large
trade, which ranks with the largest in Chase County, his sales amounting to
between $40,000 and $50,000 per annum. Mr. Jeffrey was postmaster of Elmdale
from 1878 to 1879. He has held the office of Township Clerk one year. He was
elected a member of the Board of County Commissioners of Chase County, at the
fall election of 1880, for a three years term. Mr. Jeffrey is a member of
Elmdale Lodge, No. 128, I. O. O. F. He married Miss Hattie Everett, of
Elmdale, June 9, 1881.
FRANK JOHNSON, M. D., physician and druggist, postmaster at Elmdale, was born
in Crawford County, Ohio, September 1, 1840, graduating at Oberlin, in March,
1861. In April, he enlisted as a private in Company C, Eighth Regiment Ohio
Volunteers, for three months. Before leaving the State the Regiment
re-enlisted for three years, and was assigned to the army in Western Virginia.
Dr. Johnson participated in the battles of Cheat Mountain, Winchester,
Strausburg, Front Royal and Port Republic. He was wounded in the left leg in
this last engagement, and after remaining about two months in the hospital,
was discharged on surgeons certificate of disability. In January, 1863, he
re-entered the service as First Sergeant of Company B, Twelfth Regiment,
Indian Cavalry; was assigned to the army of the Cumberland. Here he rose from
Sergeant of Captain, this last honor being attained April 12, 1865. After much
honorable service, having partaken in many hot engagements, Captain Johnson
was mustered out of service at Vicksburg, November 10, 1865. He then began the
study of medicine with S. G. Johnson, M. D., of Bucyrus, Ohio, and on March
20, 1867, he graduated from the medical department of the Ann Arbor
University. He at once entered upon the practice of his profession at Grand
Rapids, Mich. Two years later he discontinued his practice and engaged in the
lumber business in Kent County, Mich. He was burned out in September, 1874, at
the time of the great fire in Michigan. In the spring of 1875 he came to
Kansas, locating first in Butler County, where he remained one year engaged in
the practice of his profession. In April, 1876, he came to Chase County,
locating at Elmdale, where he has since remained. Besides being engaged in the
practice of his profession he has operated a drug store, which he established
in the fall of 1878. In 1882 he moved to more commodious quarters and added a
general stock of merchandise, and now operates a general store. He was
appointed postmaster of Elmdale, in the spring of 1878. He married Miss Maggie
Mooney, of Butler County, June 19, 1878, by whom he has had three children, of
whom Frank and Maggie Ethel, are now living.
WILLIAM MAXWELL, farmer, Section 20, Township 19, Range 7, P. O. Elmdale, was
born in Clay County, Ind., March 16, 1832. He was brought up on a farm and
received a common school education. In 1854 he moved to Iowa and remained
there until the spring of 1858, when he came to Kansas. He pre-empted 160
acres of land situated on Middle Creek, in Diamond Creek Township. This he at
once began to improve, and has ever since resided upon. He has since purchased
200 acres adjoining the home farm and has about 140 acres under cultivation
and an orchard containing about 300 apple trees, besides other fruits. His
principal crop is corn; also raises many hogs, and some horses and cattle. Mr.
Maxwell is a member of the Christian Church. He married Miss Susan Hartley, of
Vigo County, Ind., October 19, 1852, buy whom he has had three children, of
whom John H. and William T. are now living.
GEORGE MCNEE, farmer and stock-raiser, Section 14, Township 19, Range 6, P. O.
Elmdale, was born in Perthshire, Scotland, March 17, 1832. He came to the
United States in 1856, and for the next three years lived in Rock County, Wis.,
after which he was employed as a farm hand in various places until he came to
Kansas, in the summer of 1860. He located on Middle Creek, in Diamond Creek
Township,, and bought a claim of 160 aces which he afterwards pre-empted. He
made no improvements until 1863, when he settled on his farm and has ever since
operated it. He has since made additional purchases of land, and now owns 760
acres, divided into five farms, each of which is improved by the erection of a
dwelling and other farm buildings. He rents all but the home farm, and is quite
extensively engaged in raising cattle, horses and hogs. Mr. McNee is one of the
most enterprising of the early settlers of Chase County, and has become
identified with the interests of the township in which he lives.
ISAIAH D. RIDER, farmer, Section 34, Township 19, Range 7, P. O. Elmdale, was
born March 10, 1823, at Winchendon, Mass., and when ten years old removed with
his parents to St. Lawrence County, N. Y., where he was brought up on a farm.
In 1843 he removed to Ohio, remaining two years; then, after a residence of
two years in Michigan, located in La Salle County, Ill. Here he engaged in the
operation of a saw-mill, and after remaining six years, removed to Whiteside
County, and engaged in farming. From Illinois he came to Kansas in the spring
of 1860, locating in Chase County, on Diamond Creek, in Diamond Creek
Township. He was one of the early settlers at the head of the creek, and had
considerable trouble with the Indians, and more from the groundless reports of
their coming raids. Mr. Rider purchased a farm of 160 acres which he improved
and farmed about eight years. He then sold it and came to his present location
on the Cottonwood River, about two miles south of Elmdale. Here he purchased
320 acres of unimproved land. He has about 180 acres under cultivation and an
orchard of five acres. He has placed valuable improvements upon his farm
including a good dwelling, barn and other necessary farm buildings. He
formerly raised many cattle here but about two years ago he sent his herd to
the Indian Nation. He has there in connection with his sons, about 500 head of
cattle. Mr. Rider is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He married
Mrs. Catherine Speaker, of La Salle County, Ill., March 5, 1851, by which
marriage he has had five children, of whom Isaac D., Jr., Franklin G., George
R. and Christopher C. are now living.
ALBERT SEATON, agent A., T. & S. F. R. R., was born at Stephensport,
Breckenridge County, Ky., August 22, 1856. He received a good common school
education, and at the age of fourteen years he came to Kansas with his
parents, who, after residing a few months at Lacygne, located at Sedgwick
City, Sedgwick County, where he remained about five years, spending most of
his time in school and in acquiring a knowledge of telegraphy. After he had
mastered this science he engaged as an operator at Larned, upon the line of
the A., T. & S. F. R. R., and has ever since been in the employ of this great
corporation. After a few months service as operator, he was appointed agent at
Raymond, and remained there fifteen months, and then was appointed agent at
Elmdale, which position he has ever since held. The estimation in which he is
held by the company may be inferred from the fact that he is one of the oldest
station agents on the line of the road, though still a young man.
JOSHUA S. SHIPMAN, County Treasurer, was born at Marietta, Ohio, March 6,
1832. He was raised upon a farm in Washington, and received a common school
education. His father died when he was seven years of age, leaving a family of
four children, of whom Mr. Shipman was the next to the eldest. From early
youth a large share of the maintenance of the family devolved upon him. He
remained in his native county until 1858, when he moved to Lee County, Iowa,
and engaged in teaching. In March, 1860, he came to Kansas, and located upon a
claim of 160 acres situated upon the Cottonwood River, in Diamond Creek
Township, near the present site of Elmdale. This claim he has ever since held.
In the fall of 1860 he walked to Missouri, 200 miles, and taught school
through the winter, walking back through the snow, some of the way fourteen
inches deep. The following spring he went to Atchison three times to receive
the allotted aid for his township from the Territorial Committee having charge
of soliciting and distributing aid to the sufferers by the drouth (sic)
of 1860. During the war he was enrolled in the State militia, and was called
into service upon two or three occasions to resist Indian invasions and raids.
He has since made additional purchase of land, and now has in his farm 700
acres of land, upon which he has placed valuable improvements, including frame
dwelling, barn, cattle sheds, corn cribs and an orchard of about two acres. He
raises cattle, horses and hogs, and feeds all his crops to his own stock and
buys additional feed. Principal crop is corn. He also operates a water grist
and saw-mill, known as the Osage Mills, completed in 1870, and located on the
Cottonwood River. Mr. Shipman held the office of County Superintendent of
Schools two years, being elected in 1868. He was elected County Treasurer in
1880, and re-elected to the office in 1882. He has been married three times,
having children by each marriage. All of them are still living, as follows: C.
Frederick, Julia S., Arthur B., Annie M. and Harry L.
EBENEZER STOTTS, banker, farmer and stock-raiser, Elmdale, was born in Noble
County, Ohio, March 1, 1834. His education is principally self-acquired,
having enjoyed but three months schooling in his life. He was brought up on a
farm. After attaining his majority he engaged in farming in his native county.
In the fall of 1856 he removed to Dallas County, Iowa, whence he came to
Kansas in 1857, making the journey on foot. He located in Chase County in
June, 1857, pre-empting 160 acres of land situated in the Cottonwood Valley,
in Falls Township. This he improved and operated until 1862, when he sold it
and removed to Cottonwood Falls, engaging in the mercantile business. He
operated a general store there for four years. He then disposed of his stock
and bought a farm situated on Diamond Creek, in Diamond Creek Township, which
he operated ten years and still owns. This farm comprises 320 acres of bottom
and upland land, and has valuable improvements. In the fall of 1876 Mr. Stotts
rented his farm, but is still interested in stock-raising and is also handling
and shipping stock. He removed to Elmdale in 1876 and built a storehouse with
the intention of engaging in the mercantile business. He afterward changed his
plans, rented his storehouse and engaged in business as a broker. In May,
1881, he completed his bank building and started a general banking business at
Elmdale. His capital is ample for the transaction of the business. The monthly
average of deposits is about $10,000. Mr. Stotts is a member of Elmdale Lodge,
No. 128, I. O. O. F. He has been married three times. He has one child, by his
first wife - William Riley, born December 4, 1862.
STEPHEN M. WOOD, farmer and stock-raiser, Section 33, Township 19, Range 7, P.
O. Elmdale, was born at Mount Gilead, Morrow Co., Ohio, June 10, 1832. He was
brought up on a farm and received a common school education. He was married
May 22, 1853, and about two years after moved to Cedar County, Iowa, where he
remained engaged in farming until November, 1861, when he entered the army as
Second Lieutenant of Company B, Sixth Regiment, Missouri Cavalry. He was
promoted to First Lieutenant and Quartermaster of the regiment, August 1,
1863; and April 12, 1864, he was detailed as Brigade Commissary of Subsistance
of First Brigade Cavalry Division, Department of the Gulf. November 25, 1864,
he was detailed as Quartermaster of the Pontoon Brigade. Most of his service
was in Missouri, Louisiana and Mississippi. He was mustered out of service at
New Orleans, September 12, 1865. In the spring of 1866 he came to Kansas and
located in Diamond Creek Township, two miles southwest of Elmdale, where he
has ever since resided. He has a farm of 640 acres upon which he has placed
valuable improvements, including a very find and large orchard. Mr. Wood has
taken quite an active part in politics, and is one of the most prominent men
of Chase County and has several times received the suffrage of the electors of
the County, besides local and minor offices. He has twice represented the
county in the Legislature from the Sixty-eighth Representative District, and
has held the office of State Senator one term from Chase, Marion and Morris
counties. In April, 1877, he was appointed as Regent of the State Agricultural
College, and re-appointed in 1880. During the last four years of office he was
the presiding officer of the board, and no small part of the present
prosperity of the college is due to his clear insight in all matters of
financial or practical nature and his earnest and energetic performance of the
duties of his trust. He married Miss Caroline H. Breese, of Morrow County,
Ohio, by whom he has four children - Wallace A., Clarence D., Carrie and
Sidney B., all living.
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