Chapter XXV: Biographical History (11)

Fordyce M. Keith was born April 27, 1816, and died May 12, 1906. His wife, Parthena, was born August 4, 1816, and died at Seneca, Kan., February 18, 1893. He received an excellent education and was admitted to the practice of law in Ohio, practicing for some years at Massillon. He served in the Union army, enlisting in the One Hundred and Seventeenth regiment, Ohio infantry, and later the First Ohio heavy artillery. His service extended throughout the war from August 30, 1862, to August 1, 1865. He was a major in the One Hundred and Seventeenth regiment, Ohio infantry, and was created a lieutenant colonel in the heavy artillery August 1, 1863. He came to Kansas in 1866 and practiced law in Brown county where he served as county attorney. In old age he resided with his granddaughter in Oklahoma. He was the father of the following children: Uri Seeley; Fordyce M., Jr., who died in Pueblo, Colo., August 1, 1900; Clarence M., and Herbert Brewster died in infancy; Lamar Burrett, born February 22, 1847, and lives at Seneca, Kan.

Uri Seeley Keith was educated in the common schools of his native State. He enlisted April 20, 1861, when Lincoln issued his first call for troops. His first enlistment was in Company I, Eighteenth regiment, Ohio infantry, for a period of three months, which was extended to five months. He again enlisted in Company E, Eighty-seventh regiment, Ohio infantry, June 2, 1862, for four months. November 4, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Seventeenth regiment, Ohio infantry, for a period of three years, or until the close of the war. He was promoted to the second lieutenancy of Company C, First Ohio heavy artillery, December 23, 1863. The One Hundred and Seventeenth regiment was transferred to the heavy artillery organization May 2, 1863 with Mr. Keith as second lieutenant and later as first lieutenant of his company. He was regimental quartermaster sergeant of the One Hundred and Seventeenth regiment, Ohio infantry, and received his final discharge at Knoxville, Tenn., July 25, 1865, and was mustered out at Camp Denison, Ohio, August 1, 1865. This valiant soldier participated in the following engagements: Chickamauga, September 10–20, 1863; Knoxville, November 16 to December 9, 1863; Campbell Station, October 16; Carter Station, December 21; Lowden, October 15, 1863; Rogersville, December 19; Taylorsville, December 19, 1863; Seaversville, October 9, 1864; Charleston, October 19, 1864; Cleveland, October 24; Columbus, October 27; Franklin, November 30; Nashville, December 12 to 16, and Duck River, December 18, 1864. He served as quartermaster of the Second battalion of the First Ohio heavy artillery from April 1, 1864, to the close of the war. Other engagements in which he fought were: Rich Mountain, July 7, 1861; Gainesville, July 24, 1861; Red House, July 29, 1861 (Eighteenth Ohio volunteer infantry) and Harper’s Ferry, September 14 and 15, 1862; South Mountain, September 13, 1862; Antietam, September 17, 1862 (Eighty-seventh Ohio volunteer infantry) Paintville, January 11, 1863; Peach Orchard, January 27, 1863 (One Hundred and Seventeenth Ohio volunteer infantry). An interesting episode in Mr. Keith’s career which has been published in various newspapers is worth recording. He was the man who arrested Vallandingham at Dayton, Ohio, May 1, 1863. Early in 1863 while he was an officer in the heavy artillery, General Burnside, then in command of the Department of the Ohio, issued general order Number 38, which was especially obnoxious to southern sympathizers, the Knights of the Golden Circle, and Associated Sons of America, and kindred organizations which had for their object the placing of every obstacle in the path of the Federal Government and the overthrow of the Union. Vallandingham made an incendiary speech at Mt. Vernon, Ohio, on May 1. Captain Hutton of General Burnside’s staff was detailed to effect the arrest of Vallandingham, who was to be transported to the rebel lines. Lieutenant Keith was second in command of the expedition. They reached Vallandingham’s home at midnight, and knocked at the door, but the woman of the house stated that the object of their capture was not at home. Lieutenant Keith did not believe her and pushed open the door and rushed up stairs to find Vallandingham, who was in bed. When Keith broke open the bed room door his prisoner rushed to the window and called “Asa,” presumably in search of assistance, but no one came to his aid. He was then taken to Cincinnati and sent through the Union lines to the Confederate general, Bragg, for safe keeping.

Mr. Keith came west to Doniphan county September 8, 1865, and located in the town of White Cloud for a time and then came to Atchison. He bought a farm a few miles west of White Cloud which he cultivated until 1872, and then followed railroading for a time. In 1872 he was in the employ of the United States Government on the Great Nemaha Indian reservation. In 1875 he again returned to White Cloud and from there went to his farm, remaining until 1885 when he engaged in the hotel business at Hiawatha until 1890. He removed to Atchison in 1890, and was employed for a number of years as inspector of city contract work. He has superintended practically all of the paving and contract work which has been done in the city except during the past few years since his retirement. Many miles of paving have been honestly done under Mr. Keith’s supervision and he has had charge of the building of practically all of the concrete culverts erected in the city. For four years he served as deputy sheriff of Atchison county.

Mr. Keith was married September 11, 1866, to Mary Frances Grossman, who was born in Massillon, Ohio, August 24, 1842, the daughter of Daniel and Martha Grossman, natives of Pennsylvania, and pioneer settlers in Ohio. The Grossmans moved to Ohio in 1836 and both died in Massillon. To Mr. and Mrs. Keith have been born the following children: Minnie L. born July 24, 1867, wife of J. R. Bailey, of Enid, Okla., and the mother of one child, Mildred, wife of Dr. Lee J. Render, of Falls Valley, Okla., and who also has one child, Bailey Adrian; Mrs. Ruby V. Doyle, born April 1, 1870, and residing in Lincoln, Neb., the mother of one child, Halbert K.; Edward C., and Charles R., born June 6, 1875, of whom Charles R. died May 24, 1898, and Edward C. married Elsie Schmitt, engaged in United States mail service. Mr. Keith’s daughter, Mrs. Bailey, is a talented writer and has issued a volume of poems which has decided literary merit. She is counted among the leading authors of the “New State” and is fast gaining a place in the world of letters.

Mr. Keith has always been aligned with the Republican party and has been active in its councils during his long and busy life. He is a Mason and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Post No. 93, having been quartermaster of the local post for the past eight years. He served as post commander at White Cloud, Hiawatha, and of E. C. Johnson post, of Atchison, which was later consolidated with Post No. 93. Few men can look back over long years crowded with incidents and with such activity as has fallen to the lot of Uri S. Keith, one of the last of the Old Guard who offered their lives that the Union might be forever preserved. As the years pass and time rolls on the ranks of those brave men who wore the blue are becoming thinner and their steps more feeble. It is only the more vigorous who have survived thus far and Mr. Keith is one of them.

CHARLES H. BURROWS.

Charles H. Burrows, Union veteran and clerk in the Missouri Pacific railroad offices at Atchison, has had a long and varied career in the railway service of the country. He is a native of the Buckeye State and was born at Cincinnati, November 19, 1843, a son of James H. and Nancy A. (Lynchard) Burrows, both of whom were descended from old American families. James H. Burrows was born in Maryland and his wife was a native of Kentucky. The Burrows family settled in America in about the year 1647. There were at first two branches of the family, one of whom settled in Maine and the other on the south shore of Maryland. The great-grandfather of Charles H. settled first in Maryland and here his grandfather, William Burrows, was born and reared. The sons of the family were sea-faring men and several of the descendants of the first Burrows have been officers in the United States navy. Nancy A., wife of James H., was a daughter of Mr. Lynchard of Virginia, who became a pioneer settler of Kentucky, and married a member of the Talbot family, of Virginia. He had two sons and four daughters and came from Kentucky to Hamilton county, Ohio, in 1838. In 1845 James H. Burrows was married in Cincinnati where he made his residence. Upon the outbreak of the Civil war both father and son, C. H., enlisted. The family removed to Springfield, Ill., in 1858 and here James H. operated a cooperage shop. As before stated, father and son enlisted in the same regiment, the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois volunteer infantry, on September 10, 1862, for a period of three years. The father died in the Union hospital at Cairo, Ill., after his honorable discharge on account of sick disability, in February, 1863. Charles H. fought in the battles of Champion Hills, Vicksburg, Spanish Fort, Blakely, and took part in many other engagements until the close of the war. He was also engaged in the Mobile campaign. Charles H. was the eldest of a family of five children, namely: Charles H., James died in 1856; Mrs. Alice A. Direen, of Jacksonville, Ill.; William C., deceased; Emma D., wife of Judge Henry Phillips, of Beardstown, Ill.

In 1873 he, with whom this review is directly concerned, left the old home in Illinois and began his railroading career which was eventually to end with his present berth in Atchison. Forty-two years of railroading, or rather fifty years of railway service with the exception of two years in the practice of law at Mondamin, Ill., is the proud record of this sturdy patriot. During this long period he has served as telegraph operator, superintendent of telegraph, engineer, brakeman, conductor, etc. He was in the employ of the Chicago & Alton railroad, the Wabash, the Gilman, Clinton & Springfield railroads, while located at Springfield, Ill., and was in the employ of the Vandalia when it was building out of St. Louis. As early as 1868 he was in the employ of the Missouri Pacific railroad and was with the Denver and Rio Grande in the early days of its operation; was with the Ft. Scott & Memphis railroad one year; the St. Louis & St. Joseph road; was station agent on the old Hannibal & St. Joe road; served on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad in Missouri and Iowa; the Chicago & Northwestern; the Sioux City & Pacific; the Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley roads. After a railroad experience in the states of Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas and Colorado, he came to Atchison in September of 1890, as a clerk in the offices of the Missouri Pacific railroad system.

He was married August 10, 1871, at Lawson, Mo., to Susan E. Morrow, a native of Missouri, and daughter of Vincent Morrow. To this union has been born one child, Pearl, wife of Adolph Frailey. By a former marriage with B. F. Shumalt, Mrs. Frailey had two children, Ruth E. and Frances Shumalt. Mr. Burrows has been and is now an independent voter, not allied with any particular political party or creed. He is fraternally connected with the Sons and Daughters of Justice, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and has served as commander of the Grand Army Post, No. 93, of Atchison, for the past two years. Commander Burrows has the great distinction of having been one of the original organizers of the Grand Army of the Republic and has been prominent in the affairs of this great organization since 1866. In February of 1866, he assisted in the organization of Springfield, Ill., Grand Army Post, No. 2. He served as officer of the day when this noted post (the second in America) was organized.

JAMES EDWARD WILSON.

James Edward Wilson, farmer, of Lancaster township, Atchison county, was born December 14, 1865, on the farm which he now manages. He is a son of Charles and Mary K. (Brown) Wilson, who were the parents of eleven children, as follows: Sarah E. died in infancy; Louise C. died when two years old; William M., deceased; Andrew J., Hill City, Kan.; Martha E., deceased; Nancy J., deceased; James E., subject of this sketch; Julia A. Martin, Wabaunsee county, Kansas; Charles T., Atchison county, and Samuel H., deceased. The father, Charles Wilson, was born February 7, 1827, in Bartholomew county, Indiana, a son of Martin and Elizabeth (Mitchell) Wilson, who migrated to Missouri. Charles Wilson left the farm in Buchanan county, was married and came to Kansas. In 1855 he settled on the farm which his son now owns in section 14, Lancaster township, Atchison county. The father with his wife and infant child went through many hardships in their pioneering days.

The family came from Buchanan county, Missouri, in a covered wagon, driving a yoke of oxen. He preëmpted 160 acres, the site of his son’s present farm. He built a small log cabin to shelter his family, and, with the aid of two other men, he began to break the prairie. This was slow work with oxen, and during the first year they cleared but ten acres each. Fifty acres of the farm was in fine wooded land along the creek. This furnished them plenty of lumber with which to build their cabin and other buildings. They planted the land, which was in tillable condition, in corn, and were soon able to live in some degree of comfort, but it was still a wild country. An old trail ran near the farm, now known as the “Military trail,” and the Indians following this frequently camped along the trail near the farm. They prowled around the house frequently, and the father always kept close to his house to protect his family from possible danger. Those were the true pioneer days, and they had to go to Atchison for their provisions. It was a lonely trip, only one house being between the Wilson cabin and Atchison. But in those days people only bought the barest necessities of life which were all that they could afford. They paid two dollars a bushel for corn meal during the second spring there. Wild game was plentiful and furnished much of the food. Badgers and wolves were numerous and gave danger to the sheep of the pioneers. Many nights were spent with loaded gun within reach in preparedness for the wolves which could be heard howling about. On the trips to Atchison to trade travelers and pioneers often stopped at Mormon Grove for a rest. The place was about seven miles west of Atchison, and took its name from the fact that the Mormons, on their way to Utah, frequently camped in this grove over night. Travelers along this road always watered their horses from the pond there.

After two years the settlers began to feel the need of educational advantages for their children, as there was no school near enough for the children of the pioneers to attend. For the two years they had lived here they had no school advantages, and the men of the neighborhood joined together and built a log school house. It was in the district now known as old Huron school district No. 24. A postoffice also was established near the school house, but when the railroad was built through that section of the county, the postoffice was moved to Huron, where the station was located.

Charles Wilson died in 1897, at the age of seventy years. His wife, Mary K. Wilson, was born October 31, 1831, in eastern Tennessee. She was a daughter of Joseph and Polly (McCurry) Brown. They were natives of Tennessee. The mother is now living with her son, James, the subject of this sketch. She had a great deal to do with the success of her husband. When she came into the wild country with her young husband she was facing a new life, and one which was to test her courage and strength, but she was equal to the occasion. She toiled early and late on the new farm and helped shear sheep and spun wool. The paternal grandparents of James Wilson were Martin and Elizabeth (Mitchell) Wilson, both natives of Indiana.

James Wilson was reared on the farm where he now resides. He was educated in the district school and went to work on his father’s farm, and is now farming the place, renting it from his mother. He operates about 115 acres of it.

Mr. Wilson was married in 1880 to Martha Louisa Culpepper, who was born in Dallas county, Iowa, September 5, 1867. She is a daughter of Benjamin and Amanda (Lowery) Culpepper, natives of Alabama. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are the parents of eleven children: Charlie, deceased; Anna Edwards, Dardanelle, Ark.; Archibald, living at home; Edna Gragg, Lancaster township, Atchison county, Kansas; Frank, living at home; Marie, at home; Eva, Thelma, Leslie and Vera, all living with their parents, and one child died in infancy. Mr. Wilson is a Republican and is now a member of the school board for his district. He attends church, although he is not a member of any denomination. Mrs. Wilson, mother of James E., is the oldest living pioneer settler of Lancaster township.

FREDERICK W. KOESTER.

Frederick W. Koester is a native of Atchison, born April 6, 1860. He is a son of Fred and Anna (Bertha) Koester, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Zurich, Switzerland. The mother immigrated to America when she was a young girl, coming to this country with her mother. Fred Koester, the father, was born in Minden, Germany, January 18, 1835, and came to America when he was about twenty-one years of age. He landed in New Orleans, but remained there only a short time when he came up the Mississippi river by boat, and located at St. Louis. He remained there but a short time, however, when he went to St. Joseph, Mo. While there he learned the barber’s trade, and in 1857 came to Atchison, Kan., and established one of the first barber shops in the city. He was an industrious and thrifty man and although not highly educated, he was a man of unusual foresight and good judgment. Soon after coming to Atchison he began to invest his savings in real estate and became one of the extensive property owners of the city in the early days. He built several residences which he sold at a good profit and he built one of the first brick houses in Atchison. He also built the first pressed brick house in the city. The building is still standing and is known as the Koester house situated on Second street, between Commercial and Kansas streets. This was considered one of the magnificent residences of Atchison in the early seventies. Fred Koester owned a number of business places in Atchison as well as several residences. Frederick W. Koester is the older of a family of two. His sister, Susie Bertha, is now the wife of Carl Hachette, and resides in San Francisco, Cal.

Frederick W. Koester attended the public schools of Atchison, and later was a student in St. Benedict’s College, and also attended the Jesuits’ College, St. Louis, Mo. His father had advanced ideas in regard to education, and endeavored to give his children the best that could be obtained. After completing school F. W. Koester began life as a clerk in D. C. Newcomb’s dry goods store at Atchison. He remained there but a short time, however, when he went to work in his father’s barber shop and later opened a six chair shop of his own. He then went on the road as traveling salesman for a barber supply house, and was thus engaged for seven years. He went to California in 1886 where he was employed as timekeeper for a railroad contractor.

Mr. Koester was married in 1883 to Miss Bertha Bracke, a daughter of Albert Bracke, an Atchison county pioneer, who was engaged in freighting across the plains in the early days. Later, he was engaged in a cattle and butchering business in Atchison and was a very extensive dealer.

Mr. and Mrs. Koester are the parents of two children, Albert, born on January 21, 1885, is in the employ of the Seaton Foundry, Atchison, and Frederick William, Jr., born July 25, 1895, in San Francisco, is a student in Kansas University, department of journalism, and during his vacations is connected with the _Atchison Champion_ as a reporter. Mr. Koester was appointed by Governor Hodges secretary of the Kansas State Barbers’ Board in April, 1913, serving two years. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Red Men, and secretary of the insurance department of Golden Cross. He and his family are members of the Christian Science church. Mrs. Koester died October 13, 1904, and on October 23, 1915, Mr. Koester was united in marriage with Miss Lillie Barth Hood, a native of Kentucky, and daughter of J. H. Hood, of McCloud, Okla.

CHARLES MYERS.

Charles Myers, farmer, stockman and contractor, of Lancaster township, Atchison county, Kansas, was born May 13, 1864, in Buchanan county Missouri. He is a son of Augusta and Hulcia (Snyder) Myers, and one of nine children, seven of whom are living. The father was born in Germany in 1818 and left there with his parents when a young man, the family settling in Cincinnati, Ohio. At the age of twenty-two he came to St. Joseph, Mo., and learned the carpenter’s trade. Later he engaged in farming in Missouri, and came to Atchison county, Kansas, and bought the old Captain Evans farm in Shannon township. He improved it considerably and then sold it, and moved to Atchison, where he resided until his death in 1905. The mother was born in Indiana. She died in 1903, at the age of seventy-four years.

Charles Myers, the subject of this sketch, was reared on his father’s farm in Shannon township and attended the district school. He worked for his father until he was twenty years old, and then rented land in Doniphan county, Kansas, and farmed for himself, and later came to Atchison county, where he rented a farm for two years. Having accumulated some capital, he bought 120 acres in section 13, Lancaster township, and farmed this for sixteen years, meanwhile making extensive improvements. He sold this land and bought 160 acres in section 23, Lancaster township, in 1904. The farm was comparatively unimproved and he set to work building the place up. He erected a large, modern, nine room, brick house, superintending the work himself. He also built an excellent barn and a commodious ice house. These buildings were planned by Mr. Myers, who had learned the carpenter’s trade at odd times. He selected the materials used in the construction and by his careful supervision thus insured the best of buildings. This work comes natural to Mr. Myers, although he has never spent much time at the work, but it was so easy for him that he just naturally drifted into it. Whenever he had any work to be done he personally took it in hand. Other important improvements were made by Mr. Myers. Several additions to his farm land were made, and he now owns 240 acres of good tillable farm land. Mr. Myers also keeps graded stock and takes pride in keeping up his breeds. Besides these activities Mr. Myers holds stock in the Independent Harvester Company of Plano, Ill.

He was married to Eva Kenbal in 1897. Mrs. Myers was born August 19, 1867, in Ohio, and is a daughter of Nelson Kenbal. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Myers: Ora (Snyder), Frazer, Mo.; Edna (Taylor), Lancaster township, Atchison county, Kansas; Merrel, Augusta, Glen, Hubert, Irene, Lafayette, all living at home. Mr. Myers is a Republican in politics and has served on the school board of his district. He belongs to the Baptist church, and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Myers, in addition to his occupation as a farmer and stockman, has found time for constructing several buildings in Atchison county, and has been remarkably successful in his construction work.

GEORGE H. T. SCHAEFER.

George H. T. Schaefer, contractor and builder, has achieved such a reputation in his avocation during his more than thirty years of residence in Atchison, as to place him in the front rank of artisans in his adopted city. History is constantly repeating itself, when we chronicle the fact that “from small beginnings, great things have grown.” Mr. Schaefer began contracting in a small way, after quitting the first job which he held in Atchison. The results of his handiwork are now seen on every hand, and include the most stately and costly buildings of the city and structures throughout Kansas and Nebraska. Through all of his success Mr. Schaefer has remained the same, unassuming, plain citizen, whose motto has been, “honest work for honest money.” There are few men in his profession who can point to a more successful career, and who can look back over long years spent in erecting abiding places for mankind, and realize that every contract was fulfilled faithfully and the work well and consistently done to the satisfaction of the owners.

G. H. T. Schaefer was born November 11, 1857, in Indianapolis, Ind., and is a son of Rev. J. George and Minnie Schaefer. His father was a native of Stuttgart, Germany, and his mother of Hamburg, Germany. Both came to this country in youth with their respective parents. The father was educated for the Lutheran ministry, and in 1863 left Indianapolis and took charge of a church at Lanesville, Ind., twelve miles from New Albany, on the stage route in Indiana. From that time on he filled various charges and died in the midst of his pastoral labors in New Boston, Ind. The mother now resides in Atchison. He, with whom this review directly concerns, left the parental roof when thirteen years of age and went to Indianapolis, where he learned the trade of carpenter. After serving his apprenticeship he spent two years in the vicinity of his father’s home at New Boston, working for an old German contractor. This experience was invaluable, inasmuch as his employer took contracts for erecting barns, churches and bridges from the standing timber. The future contractor here learned to create buildings from the virgin timber of the forests. Desiring to gain a wider experience in his calling, in 1876 he went to Evansville, Ind., then, as now, an important river city. He spent one year in this city, and during that time witnessed the great cyclone which swept this section of the country and destroyed lives and many buildings. Mt. Carmel, Ill., was badly wrecked, and he arrived on the scene of the disaster in time to help bury the dead and assist in the rebuilding of the city. In 1879 he went to Greenville, Miss., and during the winter the yellow fever, which had been epidemic in New Orleans, broke out in Greenville, and he managed to catch the last boat leaving the wharf for St. Louis. From here he went to Kansas City, but no sooner did he set foot on the streets of this growing metropolis than he was besieged by real estate men who wanted to sell him property. He became disgusted with Kansas City and took a train for Atchison. Here he purchased a ticket for a point 200 miles west on the Central Branch railroad and landed at Cawker City. Upon alighting from the train and making inquiries about work he was informed that, inasmuch as he did not belong to any lodges, and had no connections in the western town, he could get no work. However, he got a job and was kept busily employed for two years, building in the surrounding country. He erected dwellings and business houses in Jewell and Mitchell counties, at a time when the country was in the initial stage of its development. He invested his savings in property, only to see his hopes of gaining a permanent competence swept away, when the hot winds came and ruined the corn crop and scorching everything in its path. Mr. Schaefer promptly left and decided to locate in Omaha. On his way eastward he drew matches to decide upon his stopping place and the choice fell to Atchison. This was in 1882. On reaching this city he saw in the _Atchison Globe_ an advertisement, reading: “Competent man wanted to take charge of building,” etc. The following morning he applied for the job, and was given the post of foreman by Mr. Jones, a contractor, who had undertaken to erect the Presbyterian church, a stone structure. He received two dollars per day for his services as foreman, with the understanding that his employer was to advance his wages according to his worth as a foreman. As foreman he did not receive any more pay than the men who were working under him; consequently, when he had supervised the erection of the stone structure as far as the roof, he quit the job, despite the fact that his boss offered him three dollars per day to continue working for him. Mr. Schaefer’s first contract in Atchison was the erection of a barn on south Third street. Since his first job he has not lacked for contracts, and he has been employed repeatedly by the same patrons who were well satisfied with the work done. His most notable building operations included the magnificent Ingalls high school building, erected at a cost of $125,000; the G. C. Wattles residence, the Bradley residence, the Blish, Mize Silliman building, costing $125,000; three double officers’ quarters at Ft. Leavenworth; thirty church edifices in Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska; the Presbyterian church in Ottawa, Kan., and the Masonic Temple in Atchison, built at a cost of $65,000, and completed in December of 1915. He employs from ten to seventy-five skilled men, as occasion requires. He formerly operated a large planing mill on Eighth street, which was destroyed by fire in 1913. Mr. Schaefer was married in 1884 to Lizzie Jacobs, of Atchison, Kan. To them have been born the following children: Clara, wife of John Frommer, Oak street, Atchison; Minnie, wife of John Krusemark, 915 North Eleventh street; Etta, wife of Albert Frommer, St. Paul, Minn.; Corrine, wife of Paul Smith, merchant, of Atchison; Julia, Edwin, Laura, and Ruth, at home with their parents. Edwin is a machinist in the employ of the Railway Specialty Company. Mrs. Schaefer was a daughter of J. H. and Catharine Jacobs, who came from Germany in 1860, accompanied by their three children: Henry, deceased; Mrs. Schaefer, and John E., and a son, Conrad V., was born here. The Jacobs first located in Pennsylvania, and then in Ft. Wayne, Ind., removing from there to Illinois in 1865, and coming to Atchison in 1867. J. H. Jacobs was employed by the Hixon Lumber Company, and died February 8, 1896, at the age of seventy-two years. His wife died December 26, 1895, aged seventy-three years.

Politically. Mr. Schaefer is an independent Republican, and served one term as city councilman from the Fifth ward. He is a member of the Lutheran church, belongs to no lodges, and is essentially a home man when he is not engaged in building. His investments are principally in Atchison real estate and Texas farm lands. His handsome residence at 911 North Eleventh street was remodeled after his own ideas and presents an attractive appearance.

AMEL MARKWALT.

Amel Markwalt, farmer, of Lancaster township, Atchison county, Kansas, was born in Germany July 14, 1864. He is a son of Gottlieb and Minnie (Schraum) Markwalt, and was one of five children, as follows: Gustave, Manistee, Mich.; Augusta, address unknown; Amelia (Lidkye), widow, Manistee, Mich.; William, Manistee, Mich.; and Amel, the subject of this sketch. The parents were both German, and died when Amel was but five years of age. He knows nothing of his parents, except that his father was in the German war of 1866, when the Prussians were fighting the Austrians.

The schooling of Amel was neglected, owing to the death of his parents, and he spent his youth working on a farm in Germany. In 1882 he sailed for America, and upon arriving in this country he went to work in the lumber mills at Manistee, Mich., remaining there three years. He then came to Atchison, Kan., and worked in the Central Branch railroad shops as a laborer. He did various kinds of work of a mechanical nature during his six years of employment there. He then engaged in the retail oil business for himself, and finding this profitable he enlarged his business to include the selling of ice. A few years later he sold his business, and in 1903 bought 160 acres of land in Lancaster township and moved there the following year, where he has since resided. He has built a fine residence and a barn since buying the land, and has a two-acre orchard. His barn is an excellent one, with a capacity of fifty tons of hay.

Amel Markwalt was married in 1885 to Augusta Stolp, who was born in Germany August 2, 1865, and left her native land in 1883 and came to Atchison, Kan. She is a daughter of August and Charlotte (Weisgean) Stolp, both now deceased. Her father came to Atchison, Kan., in 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Markwalt have six children: Ida, wife of J. Ziegler, Nortonville, Kan.; William, living at home; Henry, deceased; Charlotte, Elsie, and Otto, living at home. Mr. Markwalt does not affiliate himself with any political party, believing that he can vote more conscientiously by voting independently. He is a member of the German Lutheran church.

RUFUS BENTON PEERY.

Dr. Rufus Benton Peery, president of Midland College, Atchison, is a true type of scholarly and progressive educator, one of that class of men who seem fitted or destined for the high places, and are adapted by profound learning and natural endowments to be instructors and leaders of the youth of the land. His work as the head of Midland College is attracting favorable attention. He has won fame as a lecturer and achieved a measure of renown as an author. Endowed with inherent powers of leadership, he occupies a place among the educators of the nation which is unquestioned, and he is universally recognized as a man of brilliant attainments and a strong personality. Although he has occupied his present position but a few years, during that time Dr. Perry has done much toward advancing the interests of Midland College and pushing this institution forward to its rightful place among the seats of learning in the Middle West.

Dr. Perry is a native of Virginia, born April 9, 1868, at Burke’s Garden, and is a son of Thomas and Sarah Henrietta (Repass) Peery. His father was a farmer and stockman, who eventually became an extensive buyer and shipper of live stock in Virginia and Tennessee. He traveled over the region in quest of cattle and other live stock, buying it up and shipping train loads to the New York City markets. Rufus B. early learned to do farm work and assisted his father as other boys have been wont to do on the farm. After he had entered college he became his father’s assistant in the live stock business during his vacations, and thus earned the money to continue with his studies. During his boyhood on the farm he raised a fine mare named “Gypsy” which was the apple of his eye. He became ambitious to enter college, but had not the means to make the start. His only recourse seemed to be to part with “Gypsy,” and thus get the funds to realize his ambition. He sold his favorite for the sum of $125, and was enabled to matriculate in Roanoke College, Salem, Va., from which institution he was graduated with the degree of A. B. in 1890. He received his Master’s degree from Roanoke in 1895.

Imbued with a desire to enter the ministry, he continued his studies in the theological seminary at Greensburg, Pa., for the next two years, and was ordained in the English Lutheran ministry in 1892. Actuated by a desire to assist the Japanese people, he became a missionary and remained in the Orient from 1892 to 1903. For four years he was professor of theology in Japan, and traveled extensively in the Orient, including the Chinese Empire. Being a close student and observer of condition in the lands which he visited while pursuing his missionary tasks, he was enabled to write entertainingly, the results of his observations, and embody them in an interesting volume “Gist of Japan,” in 1897, which has run through eight editions. He has also written and published a volume entitled “Lutherans in Japan,” issued in 1900. His “Lectures to Young Men” (Japanese) was issued in 1902. Dr. Peery is a regular contributor to religious and secular journals. His work has decided literary merit, and he has attained high rank as a writer on religious subjects. In the year 1895 he received the degree of Ph. D. from the Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg. He took the non-resident course in theology and homiletics in Chicago University from 1898 to 1901. In 1909 Dr. Peery received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Midland College. Upon his return from the far East he lectured in America on Oriental and missionary subjects from 1903 to 1905. In 1905 he received a call and accepted the pastorate of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at Denver. He had charge of the Denver church until 1912 when he came to Atchison and became president of Midland College. While in Denver he served as president of the Denver Ministerial Association from 1909 to 1910, inclusive. Dr. Peery is a trustee of the Tabitha Home at Lincoln, Neb.; a member of the Red Cross Society of Japan; member of the Sons of the American Revolution Society, and the Phi Gamma Delta.

He was married to Letita Rich, of Wytheville, Va., August 21, 1905. To Mr. and Mrs. Peery have been born six sons, namely: Harold Rich, Thomas Benton and Rob Roy, born in Japan; Paul Denver, and William Wallace, born in Denver, Colo.; Donald Lee, born in Atchison. Dr. Perry, like many other college heads, began at the bottom rung of the ladder, and is essentially self-made. His first teaching experience was in the district schools of his native State. While a student at college he served as private tutor to the student son of a wealthy man and thus earned sufficient funds to continue his studies. His father gave him a share of the proceeds of the live stock business which he earned in New York City, during his vacations. Nothing develops the individual more than the necessity of striving for himself, and thus developing his own powers by combining the gaining of a livelihood with the attaining of a higher education. Dr. Peery’s aspirations have been noble, and he has been actuated by the high and unselfish purpose of being of service to his fellow men. Atchison is proud of Midland College and the great work being done within its walls, and the reputation of the college is growing under Dr. Peery’s management.

JOHN L. RATERMAN.

From office boy to manager for one of the most widely known concerns in the United States, or the civilized world, is the story of the life of him of whom this review is written. The history of J. L. Raterman, manager for R. G. Dun & Company, Mercantile Agency, shows what can be accomplished by beginning at the lowest rung of the ladder, learning every detail of the business, and eventually fitting himself for the important and responsible position of manager.

The business of R. G. Dun & Company was first established in Atchison in 1886, with G. T. Bolman as manager. Other managers succeeded Mr. Bolman in the course of time, but Mr. Raterman has held the position longer than any of his predecessors. He began as office boy in 1890, when but fourteen years of age, it being necessary for him to leave his school studies when a pupil of the sixth grade. During his idle moments around the office, young Raterman practiced on the typewriter, and it was not long until he was able to do typist’s work efficiently and satisfactorily. He was soon promoted and became a regular typist, and mastered shorthand at the end of three years of study. Seven years later he was advanced to the post of chief clerk, and in 1900 was promoted to the important post of manager of the Atchison branch of R. G. Dun & Company. As manager, Mr. Raterman travels over seven counties, collecting necessary data regarding the business concerns of his territory, including the six counties of northeast Kansas and DeKalb county, Missouri. He is personally acquainted with practically every business man in his district.

J. L. Raterman was born in Atchison, Kan., October 25, 1876, a son of John and Elizabeth (Myers) Raterman, both of whom were born in Germany, immigrated to this country in youth and were married in Cincinnati, Ohio. John Raterman came to Atchison in 1857, and was one of the well known pioneer merchants of the city, operating a grocery store here in the early days. He conducted his grocery store for twenty-five years, and died December 21, 1902. Mrs. Raterman is living in Atchison at the advanced age of eighty years. Mr. and Mrs. Raterman left a family of seven children.

ULYSSES B. SHARPLESS.

Ulysses B. Sharpless, treasurer of Atchison county, is one of the most successful citizens and business men of the county. He is the son of pioneer parents. Reared on a pioneer farm, successful as a merchant and public official, he is universally recognized as one of the most influential men of Atchison county today. Mr. Sharpless is a descendant of old American stock, his ancestors having been among the original 100 Quaker families brought over from England by William Penn, and colonized near and within the city of Philadelphia, in 1682. Joseph Sharpless, the direct ancestor of U. B. Sharpless, erected a stone house on the ancestral farm of the family in 1700, near the city of Chester, Pa., which is still standing in an excellent state of preservation. One room of this old and stanch dwelling is still in exactly the same condition as the original builder left it. The timbers and boards of this house were drawn together by means of wooden pins instead of nails.

U. B. Sharpless was born January 18, 1870, in Delaware, a son of Benjamin T. and Susan (Green) Sharpless, the former of whom was a native of Delaware, and the latter a native of Pennsylvania. The family resided in Delaware until 1878 and then migrated to the West, settling on a farm near Pardee in Atchison county, Kansas. Here Benjamin T. lived and reared his family of six children, as follows: Mrs. Cora E. (Burdick), deceased; Mrs. Olivia R. (Pfouts), deceased; Mrs. Susan Ella (Shifflet), of Atchison; Ulysses B., with whom this narrative is directly concerned; Carrie died in infancy; Mrs. Emma M. Hulings, Center township, Atchison county. Benjamin Sharpless died in 1894, and the mother of the foregoing children departed this life in 1908.

C. M. VOELKER,
County Clerk.
]

U. B. SHARPLESS,
County Treasurer.
]

S. S. KING,
County Commissioner.
]

CHAS. T. GUNDY,
City Judge.
]

He of whom this review is written was eight years of age when the Sharpless family came to Atchison county. He was reared to young manhood on his father’s farm and learned to cultivate the soil under the tutelage of his father, who was a successful farmer. He was educated in the common schools and early learned to apply his education to the best advantage for himself. When twenty-one years of age he obtained his first position as manager of a general store at Monrovia, Kan. This position entailed a number of duties which kept him busily employed for a number of years. From 1891 to 1903 Mr. Sharpless managed the Monrovia store, served as postmaster, and performed the duties of station agent for the railroad company. However, he found time to take an interest in politics and became active in the affairs of the Republican party when yet a young man. In 1903 he removed to Effingham, Kan., and engaged in the hardware and implement and grain business with considerable success. He still retains his interest in this business, although now a resident of Atchison. Mr. Sharpless has also become a land owner in the county and has farm lands near Effingham.

He was married in 1892 to Sadie A. Cook, born and reared in Atchison county, and a daughter of Thomas F. and Margaret Cook, who were pioneer settlers of this county, coming here from Missouri in 1860. To Mr. and Mrs. Sharpless have been born five children: Gladys A., Margaret S., Edith Aubine died at the age of seven years; Lois A., and Alice Marie. All of the living children are attending the Atchison public schools.

The civic and political career of Mr. Sharpless has been an interesting one and he has risen from the rank and file of the Republican party to become one of the recognized leaders of his party in Atchison county and Kansas. His first civic office was as police judge of Effingham. He also served a term as mayor of that city. He was elected a member of the State legislature from legislative district No. 3, in Atchison county in 1910 and again elected to succeed himself in 1912. He was also a member of the Atchison County High School board and served as treasurer of this organization. In the fall election of 1914 he was elected to the office of county treasurer by a large and handsome majority—evidence of his great personal popularity among all classes of citizens. He assumed the duties of the treasurer’s office in October of 1915, and is bestowing the same care and application in the discharge of his public duties in this capacity as he has always taken in the conduct of his personal business affairs.

Mr. Sharpless is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Blue Lodge, No. 48, and is a Knights Templar and Royal Arch Mason. He is past noble grand of Spartan Lodge, No. 250, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Effingham, Kan., and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, of the latter city. He is also fraternally allied with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Fraternal Aid Union of Atchison.

CONRAD M. VOELKER.

It is certainly a distinction to be known as the youngest county clerk, and in all probability the youngest county official ever elected in the State of Kansas. Such is C. M. Voelker, the efficient and justly popular county clerk of Atchison county. Political honors and preferment rarely come to a really young man, unless he is especially qualified for the work, and has a host of friends who are willing and able to support him and his candidacy. Although young in years, Mr. Voelker is performing his duties in a manner which would reflect distinct credit upon an older individual.

Conrad M. Voelker is a native of Atchison county, having been born May 20, 1889, on a farm, four miles north of Atchison, in Shannon township. His father is Conrad Walker, who was born in Germany November 20, 1856, a son of Karl and Christiana Voelker, who immigrated to America in 1861, and settled on a farm, two miles north of the city, where he operated a dairy and truck farm until his demise. To Karl and Christiana Voelker were born the following children: Conrad; Mrs. Joseph Biddle, of Atchison; Henry, residing in New Orleans; Karl Voelker was twice married, Mrs. S. L. Loyd, of Shannon township, being a daughter of the second marriage. Conrad, father of C. M. Voelker, was reared to manhood in Atchison county, and when he became of age, settled on a 160 acre farm, four miles north of Atchison, which is now one of the best improved farms in the State of Kansas. For a number of years he specialized in the cultivation of cabbage, making a success of the venture, and accumulated considerable money. He became known far and wide as the “Cabbage King” of Kansas, always having the first cabbage on the market, and shipped the product of his fields to points in Kansas and Nebraska in carload lots. The Voelkers have a beautiful, well appointed home, with excellent out buildings. Conrad Voelker married Jennie Mueller, who was born in Cooper county, Missouri, November 15, 1862, a daughter of German parents. To Conrad Voelker and wife were born the following children: Fred C. W., a farmer, living north of Atchison; Conrad M. The Voelkers are members of the Lutheran church.

Conrad M., with whom this narrative is directly concerned, was educated primarily in the district schools, his education being supplemented with one year’s study in the German school in Atchison, and a course in Midland College, where he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1909. He then completed a course in commerce and bookkeeping in the Atchison Business College. While a sophomore of Midland College he won first honors in the oratorical contest, and represented his alma mater at the State oratorical contest, held in Salina, Kan. While yet a student he received the appointment of deputy county clerk under Edward Iverson, March 13, 1910. He was elected to the office on the Republican ticket in November, 1912, and again elected without any opposition in the fall of 1914.

A more intimate personal view of this rising young man was published in the _Atchison Champion_ just previous to assuming the duties of his office after his election:

“Conrad M. Voelker, county clerk elect, when he takes office January 1, 1913, will have the distinction of being the youngest man ever elected to the office of county clerk in Kansas. Mr. Voelker, while he appears to be much older, is but twenty-three years old. He is popular; this was proven by the fact that he was elected by a majority of 955 votes.

“Mr. Voelker is the son of Conrad Voelker. He was born four miles north of Atchison. He never passes up an opportunity to learn something. When four years old Mr. Voelker started to school. He was graduated from the eighth grade at ten years of age, and in 1909 he was graduated from Midland College. When he finished the common schools he studied in a German school for one year; so he both reads and writes German. He completed a double course at the Atchison Business College in five months, graduating in March, 1910, and a few days later he was appointed deputy county clerk. When Mr. Voelker was eighteen years of age he took part in the Kansas intercollegiate oratorical contest, which was held at Salina. There were nineteen other contestants, several of them being men twice the age of Voelker, who were going through college for the second time. Voelker won fourth place in the contest, which in addition to being quite an honor, demonstrated that he has great ability as a public speaker.

“There is no doubt that he will be re-elected two years hence. He undoubtedly will prove to be one of the most efficient county clerks in the history of the county.”

The last paragraph was prophetic, as Mr. Voelker’s second election to the office in 1914 will testify. His re-election was the best evidence of his success and strong personal popularity. Mr. Voelker is affiliated with several fraternal societies, an active party worker, what is known as a good mixer, and a rising young citizen of the county, whose future career will be well worth watching, inasmuch as he is bound to gain greater honors in the years to come, and to climb to a still higher place in the civic life of his home county and State.

SAMUEL S. KING.