1903 Biographies

Unless otherwise stated, these biographies were transcribed from Biographical History of Cloud County, Kansas by E.F. Hollibaugh, published in 1903. There are also many accompaning portraits and pictures in the book.

SUSANNAH BOND.

Miss Susannah Bond, the subject of this sketch, settled in the Solomon valley, when it was in its primitive state and is one of the oldest remaining settlers.

Miss Bond is a native of Lawrence county, Indiana, born in 1825. Her parents were John and Alice (Nelms) Bond. Her father was a native of North Carolina and her mother of Georgia. They both died in Orange county, Indiana, her mother in 1854, and her father in 1857.

Miss Bond is the youngest and only living member of a family of fourteen children. She emigrated to Kansas with two brothers and a sister and all lived together. Nathan was deceased December 11, 1871, Sarah M., in 1889, and John N. in 1891. They came to Kansas in 1866, and filed on the land included in her present farm in 1867. The year previous they spent in Dickinson county, and during the Indian uprisings they located in Daviess county, Missouri. In the meantime other parties made an effort to secure her claim and in 1869 she returned, contested her right, and again returned to Missouri.

In 1870 she again came to Kansas, settled on her homestead and has since resided in Cloud county. Miss Bond was here during the first Indian raid, and witnessed some of the results of their depredations - the dead and wounded settlers. She lived in a dugout until her present residence was erected about fifteen years ago. She has experienced the hardships incident to life on the frontier. One-half of her dugout fell in during a heavy rain storm, and her efforts were many times seemingly baffled trying to keep the wolf from the door.

Miss Bond has always taken a great interest in church work and has lived the life of a consistent Christian woman. She has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church during the greater part of her seventy-seven years. Her father was a local Methodist Episcopal preacher. The Methodist Episcopal church of Glasco was organized in 1870, and Miss Bond was the first to unite with the congregation. Mrs. Adrastus Newell, William Abbott, Miss Bond's two brothers, her sister and herself composed the entire membership at the time of organization. Miss Bond lives on the old homestead and a niece, Mrs. D.D. Hannum, and family five with her.

BAKER BORTON.

A conspicuous figure was the late Baker Borton, who died February 12, 1902. Mr. Borton was a native of Fairview, Ohio, where he was educated in the common schools. When twenty-seven years of age he located on a farm near Morris, Grundy county, Illinois, where he resided eight years. He was ingenious and through necessity learned the carpenter trade, working in that capacity for several years. The latter part of March, 1872, he came to Clyde for the purpose of farming, but circumstances were brought about that diverted his intentions and he followed that occupation but a short time. Mr. Borton was an active politician and for the first ten years of his residence in Cloud county he served as deputy sheriff, constable, United States deputy marshal and in 1888 he was elected commissioner of Cloud county and served two terms. In 1882 he opened a real estate and insurance business, becoming one of Clyde's most successful business men. He was a man of many sterling qualities, charitable and kind of heart he never oppressed the poor. He numbered his friends among all classes of people and the foreign element, so numerous In the vicinity of Clyde, had great confidence in him. As if foreseeing the future need of a successor from the family circle, Mr. Borton trained and educated his granddaughter, Ruby M. Cannon, for the position. After graduating from the Clyde high school in 1898 she entered the office as his secretary and during his illness of three years prior to his death she conducted the business. She is well qualified and very successful, retaining the old patrons and adding many new ones.

Mr. Borton was married in 1862 to Miss Sue Osler. The Oslers' ancestry came from England. Mrs. Borton's maternal grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and her father in the war of 1812. They settled in Maryland in an early day and afterward moved to Ohio, where Mrs. Borton was born. Her mother was Volinda Foreman, of Virginia, where her father was a slaveholder. Her maternal grandparents were Kentuckians, related to the old Dent family.

To Mr. and Mrs. Borton one child has been born, Carrie B., wife of William S. Cannon (see sketch), an attorney of Clyde. Mrs. Borton with her family reside on the corner of Broadway and the Boulevard, which is in Clyde proper and where they located in 1873, when this part of the town was a level prairie and before the streets were surveyed. Thy have one of the most comfortable homes in the city. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

HONORABLE LEWIS WETZEL BORTON.

The subject of this sketch, the late Judge Borton, was one of Clyde's most distinguished citizens. He not only reached the top round of the ladder as a practitioner in the state, but also in the Federal courts. Judge Borton was one of the "headlights" of the Democratic party. He represented the Eighty-first district in 1882-3, was a candidate for secretary of state in 1878, was attorney for the Missouri Pacific Railway and held minor offices, as mayor of the town, etc. He was a popular public official and ranked among the best legal authority of the state. Aside from being a man of ability and natural genius, he was possessed of an inexhaustible fund of humor and as big-hearted as he was genial. He was first and foremost in every movement for the best interests of Clyde, and through his associations with the outside world the town became widely known. Through his untiring efforts much credit is due for the bringing of the railroad into Cloud county. In company with his wife's brother, James Law, who is a musician, he would visit the country districts and hold mass meetings, make speeches, etc. He was not only a learned and eloquent man, but popular with all classes of people.

Judge Borton was born in Fairview, Guernsey county, Ohio, September 1, 1831, and died March 14, 1889, at the age of fifty-seven years. His death was one of the most sorrowful events that ever took place in Clyde. Judge Borton was the fifth of nine children, six brothers and three sisters, viz: Reuben, Edward, William, Martha, J. Wesley Baker (see sketch), Louisa and Vashti Caroline. Of the entire family only the two last named are living, both residents of California. The Bortons were all men of broad and progressive ideas, large experiences with the world and an inherent knowledge of human nature.

Judge Borton's grandparents, Benjamin and Charity (Rogers) Borton, were born in Eversham township, Burlington county, West Jersey, eleven miles from the city of Philadelphia. His parents were James and Maria (Wilson) Borton, who settled in Ohio, where they reared their family of children. They were of Quaker origin. Reuben Borton, a prominent man in milling and manufacturing, died at his home in Marion, Illinois, in 1889. Edward and William died in Ohio. The youngest brother, J. Wesley Borton, was massacred by the Indians in California, May 3, 1864. He was one of a prospecting party who had pursued a band of Indians to recover their horses stolen by the savages, but gave up the chase and returned to camp, unpacked, unsaddled and lariated their horses about twenty yards distant and stretched themselves upon the ground. A few moments later they were startled by a deadly volley of about fifty shots poured in from all directions. Most of the party sprang to their feet, but J.W. Borton, who was lying at full length upon the ground did not arise; he had received a bullet through the chest. Four of the party were killed outright and another dangerously wounded. The others fled for their lives, as to linger would be certain death, and their comrades were already fated. When Mr. Borton's body was found, a great New Foundland dog, true to the instincts of this noble animal, was stretched by his master's side as if calmly resolved to share his fate.

Judge Borton was married to Miss Matilda Law, April 30, 1854. She survives him and lives on the farm along with her brother, Joseph Law, and her aged mother, who was Sarah Watkins before her marriage, and as a girl was known as "Sallie" Watkins. This interesting, vivacious and well preserved old lady, with a face as round and plump as many women fifty years her junior, and eyes that are bright as those in many youthful faces, is living with her daughter at the age of eighty-eight years, having been born March 15, 1814. "Sallie" Law was married to James Law in 1829. He was fourteen years her senior, and consequently was born in 1800. His father was Mathew Law and came to America under the English flag as a British captain. He was captured and surrendered by Cornwallis to Washington at Yorktown in 1781. He was born in England but was reared in Ireland, and was a shipbuilder by occupation. He never returned to England, but married an American woman and reared a family of nine children. Mr. and Mrs. Law reared to maturity ten of the eleven children born to them. The second youngest are twins. Joseph, who manages the farm for Mrs. Borton - his sister died unmarried at the age of thirty years. Another son, James W. Law, Jr. (see sketch), owns an adjoining farm. The daughters are Nancy Ellen, wife of S. Stiverson, of Clarinda, Iowa. Laura A., wife of David May, of Kansas City. Mrs. Doctor Ransopher and Mrs. L.W. Borton, the latter two well known to all the old settlers of Elk township. James Law, Sr., died December 7. 1878.

Judge Borton was admitted to the legal profession in 1855, and practiced law successfully in the courts of Ohio until 1859, when he became interested in the alluring prospects for gold found in the Rockies, and he left his old home and located near the world famous Pikes Peak. During his ten years of residence there, his career was marked and he was prominent in legal circles and in politics. He was elected attorney of Gilpin county, but he decided to locate in Kansas, believing in the state's future greatness he cast his lot here and no man worked more faithfully than he. It was said of him, he refused upon one occasion to buy a map of heaven because Clyde was not inscribed there.

It has been conceded that Judge Borton was the only individual who was ever rewarded by a spontaneous laugh from Jay Gould, the late great railroad magnate. Being a man of much local influence, he was invited by Jay Gould, who was touring the country in his special car, to join him in his journey through Republican valley and consulted the judge regarding some new railroad projects. There was in the party besides Mr. Gould, S.H.H. Clark, B.P. Waggener, Doctor Munn, W.W. Fagan, George J. Gould and other officials of the road. After the business transactions were disposed of, Judge Borton was invited to make the entire trip with them. From railroads the conversation drifted to other topics. Mr. Gould took no part in the subjects under discussion, or touched upon; finally the conversation changed to humorous narratives and during this test Jay Gould sat unmoved as a sphinx, until Judge Borton related for the first time his original and famous story about the cheerful sod house settler who became so sore pressed by poverty that he resolved to abandon all attempts at living like a human being and get a buffalo hide and tail and run wild.

The recital of this thoroughly original and remarkable anecdote was irresistable and Mr. Gould's risibilities could not be suppressed upon this occasion and he fairly exploded with laughter. This was the first instance known to Gould's friends of his ever having taken interest in anything not pertaining to business, and through this incident Judge Borton gained the noteoriety of being the only man who ever produced from the great railway king an audible laugh. The judge was pleased over his victory, and after this event was frequently the guest of Jay Gould, often traveling with him when passing through northwestern Kansas.

The following is a true story, illustrating the tact and humor of Judge Borton: The judge and three comrades were touring the country districts in the interests of a railroad project during the early 'seventies. As the night was dark and Clyde several miles distant, the company of promoters secured lodging in the diminutive home of a settler whose one room was partitioned with blankets, as was the prevailing custom in the new western country. All went well with the guests of the farm house, who arose the next morning with renewed vitality to pursue their intentions. In glancing his eyes over the breakfast table, Fred Herman, who was one of the party, discovered that the ham and eggs were swimming in grease, a diet his dyspeptic constitution could not indulge in with any degree of comfort or happiness, hence in kindly, persuasive accents he requested the hostess to prepare for him some dry toast and a poached egg. The woman looked about in a bewildered manner, and a moment later disappeared from the room. Returning presently she hesitatingly remarked to Mr. Herman: "I cannot find one of them kind on the place." In all instant the quick intuition of Judge Borton was brought to bear upon the case and, with the tact that made him famous, the judge, approaching the disconcerted landlady, said in rather confidential tones: "Just take a frying-pan, pour into it some hot water, break an ordinary hen's egg into it, and when cooked you can't tell it from the other kind." Their hostess is still a resident of Kansas, and not so far distant, but this article may be read by she who doubtless learned ere this, that "poached" eggs are a form of cooking rather than the product of a certain species of fowl.

DANIEL M. BOURNE.

The subject of this sketch, D.M. Bourne, is a native of Massachusetts, born in South Dartmouth, a village on Buzzard's bay, in 1847. His father was an old sea captain of New Bedford, Massachusetts, and spent twenty-eight years of his life on the briny deep; went on ship as cabin boy and worked himself up to captain. At the time of the gold excitement of 1849, he, with twenty-five others fitted up a vessel of which he was captain and sailed to California; sold their ship and engaged in mining. In 1851, he emigrated to Wisconsin and settled on a farm in Calumet county, where he died in 1885.

D.M. Bourne's mother was born on the island of Nantucket, and she was a lineal descendant of John Smith, who came on the Mayflower. Her father was a seafaring man and operated a mackerel and cod fishing vessel. His fishing vessel was captured and taken by the British in the war of 1812. They selected his vessel from among many others because it was new, and took it in tow. The sailors pursued the British and when close upon them the British set fire to the vessel and turned it loose. Mr. Bourne's mother died in Wisconsin. Our subject is one of nine children, six of whom are living. Mr. Bourne was married in 1875, and in the autumn of 1876 emigrated to Kansas and bought the relinquishment of the Benjamin Billingsly homestead, the farm where he now lives, which is one of the best in the county. He left Wisconsin with nine hundred dollars; paid six hundred dollars for the claim and two hundred dollars for a team. He now has a half section of land in Meredith and Lyon townships and one hundred and sixty acres of land near El Reno, Oklahoma. His Kansas farm is in a high state of improvement; an imposing residence of nine rooms; in 1898, he built a commodious barn. His chief industry has been raising wheat.

Mrs. Bourne, before her marriage was Amelia Spencer, of Calumet county, Wisconsin, where she was a teacher for several years. She is a daughter of Richard Spencer, one of the early settlers of Calumet county who came from Ireland to Wisconsin when he was nineteen years of age, and where he died in 1883, at the age of sixty-five years. Her mother was Sarth Thurston, a sister of C.W. Thurston of Delphos. She died November 14, 1883 at the age of fifty years.

To Mr. and Mrs. Bourne seven children have been born, all of whom are highly intellectual and educated. Their sons are manly boys of good habits, Leona, is the wife of H.E. Conway, a farmer and nurseryman of El Reno county, Oklahoma. They are the parents of two children, Bessie, aged three, and Walter, aged two years. Mrs. Conway was a Cloud county teacher for several years. Harry, interested with his father on the farm, graduated in 1901, from the Manhattan Agricultural College. Bessie, now in her fourth year at the Agricultural College of Manhattan where she is taking a general course. Richard, in his third year at Manhattan, is talented in music and drawing. He is local editor of the Student's Herald, a weekly paper issued for and by the students of the College. Gordon is also a student in his first year at the same institution. Bertie and Essie, aged nine and three years, respectively. The boys work at home during the summer months putting in wheat, etc. and in the autumn return to Manhattan.

On the 10th of June, 1879, the Bourne residence was torn down by a cyclone. Mrs. Bourne was alone with the children. The roof was taken off and a wagon load or more of rock from the gable end of the house came crashing down on a bed where three of the children were sleeping. All escaped with slight bruises, but the house was drenched from the rain and almost every dish was broken. This came at a time when their financial circumstances made the loss very seriously felt.

In 1893, Mr. Bourne purchased the Frank Wilson stock of goods at Cool. He was there four years and during the panic; people could not pay their bills and he returned to his farm considerably crippled financially and has made what he now has practically since returning. He owns and operates with his eldest son, a threshing machine. He is also somewhat of a chicken fancier and his Buff Plymouth Rocks took first premium at Delphos and Beloit. Judge Rhodes who awarded the prizes, remarked they would take the premium any where in the state.

Mr. Bourne is a Populist in politics; takes an active interest in public affairs and for several years has been a member of the school board of District No. 63. At the last election he was supplanted by Mrs. Bourne. He is a member of the order of Odd Fellows and Knights and Ladies of Security of Delphos.

WALTER W. BOWMAN.

Walter W. Bowman, as cashier of the First National Batik of Concordia, is closely connected with its interests and much of its success is due to his business understanding of the duties and responsibilities attending his important position. Gentry county, Missouri, is the place of Mr. Bowman's nativity, but he came to Kansas when only one year of age, therefore he is practically a Kansan, and no one refers with greater pride to the rise and note the state has achieved at home and abroad.

The rudiments of his education were received in the Concordia schools and one year in the Concordia State Normal, but he is a self-made man and pursued knowledge that was most practical and that which would bring the best returns. He began his career early in life. When but eleven years old he was employed as clerk in the postoffice of Concordia. Having signed a registered letter, his signature attracted the attention of Mr. Linney, Concordia's first postmaster, who asked for an interview with the young boy's mother, consequently arrangements were promptly made and he was given a clerkship, attending school intermittently, taking every advantage that offered to educate himself. About seven years subsequently he was appointed to a clerkship in the United States land office, then located in Concordia, where he gained much useful knowledge. From this occupation he entered the First National Bank and has been prominently identified with this institution from its start.

Mr. Bowman was married in August, 1883, to Clara K. Polhemus, who removed to Kansas with her parents in 1880. Mrs. Bowman is a woman of intellectual attainments and an accomplished musician. Three promising and interesting sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bowman, viz: Alfred N., Walter, Jr., and Horace Bushnell. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bowman his mother was united in matrimony to Mr. Polhemus, the father of Mrs. Bowman. They are residents of Concordia and own a pleasant home opposite their children on Seventh street.

Mr. Bowman is a man honored alike in the counsels of the community at large and in the circle of his personal acquaintances and friends, the direct result of his straightforward principles and purpose of will. He has made use of the excellent talents with which nature endowed him and no citizen of Concordia possesses a more honorable record. He is a man of untiring energy in his devotion to business, the smallest detail receiving the attention it deserves, which in a great measure is the keynote to his popularity and success.

From the life of Mr. Bowman the following lesson can be learned: Any boy who is studious and determined to be successful can attain his object though handicapped by poverty, lack of educational opportunity and even delicate health. The Bowmans occupy a desirable cottage home on the corner of Washington and Seventh streets, where they expect to build a modern and more commodious house in the near future. A wide lawn is one of the pleasing features of this property. Fraternally Mr. Bowman is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his family are prominent members and active workers of the Presbyterian church.

ANDREW J. BRADFORD.

A.J. Bradford was one of the early settlers of Clyde and experienced many incidents of pioneer life and met with many reverses, among them losing nearly all his children within a brief space of time. He served one term as under sheriff of Cloud county a short time before his death. Mr. Bradford was an old soldier. He was a member of Company G, 2d Colorado Cavalry, under the leadership of Captain Boyd, and a comrade of J.B. Rupe. Mr. Bradford was born at Middlesex, Pennsylvania, in 1844, and died in Concordia, December 24, 1893. Mr. Bradford was a pioneer, coming to Kansas in 1866. He was a brave and honored soldier, a patriotic and highly respected citizen.

HONORABLE WILLIAM L. BRANDON.

No one in Clyde is held in higher esteem than W.L. Brandon, proprietor and operator of the Clyde elevator. In 1877 Mr. Brandon, accompanied by a party of six relatives and friends, left their homes in Illinois to travel through Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas to look over the country with the intention of locating wherever they found the most interesting field. When they reached Clyde, they were pleased and impressed with that prosperous and thriving little city and the opportunities offered in the various avenues of business, and four of their number remained.

One of them, Willis Brandon, the photographer, a cousin of our subject, became a permanent resident. A brother, Washington Brandon, after a stay of two years removed to Wyoming. The other members of the party, after a brief sojourn returned to their Pennsylvania home. Shortly after his arrival Mr. Brandon secured a position with the Clyde Mill Company as stationary engineer and remained from the time of its opening until it was burned in 1884. He then went into the elevator of Mel Roach as manager and engineer, and subsequently became interested in the elevator he now owns; but later sold to Mr. Brown and leased the Roach elevator, then owned by the Clyde State Bank. This enterprise was burned March 26, 1898. The fire originated from the machinery and consumed eleven thousand bushels of grain, engendering a total loss - not one dollar of insurance. Mr. Brandon then bought the ground on which the elevator stood, of he Bank officials, and the following summer erected the elevator now owned by the Clyde Milling and Elevator Company, where he continued until May 1, 1901. In 1899 Mr. Brandon consolidated with the Clyde Milling and Elevator Company as a corporation and built the Clyde Mills. He sold his Interest in 1901, and bought the Clyde Elevator, the property of Stanley Roach, where he transacts an extensive business under the name of the Clyde Elevator. The capacity is about twenty thousand bushels. The building was erected in 1880 by Captain Hanson and an addition, or the north wing, was built on in 1884.

Mr. Brandon is a native of New Castle, Pennsylvania, born in 1857. He attended the common schools in that vicinity and at the age of nineteen years came to Illinois, where he lived on a farm. Mr. Brandon's paternal grandfather moved from Kentucky to Pennsylvania in the early settlement of that state. The Brandons were originally from England. His mother's people, the Alexanders, were from Scotland and settled in PennsyIvania. Mr. Brandon's parents are both living in New Castle at the ages of seventy-six and sixty-eight years respectively. He is one of six children, four boys and two girls, four of whom are living. The youngest brother, Samuel F., died from a railroad accident at Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, in 1892 Mrs. A. Morton, the eldest sister, died in Colorado in 1901. The youngest sister, Mrs. Joseph Harper, is a resident of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. His brother, Washington Brandon, is a resident of Hutchinson, Kansas, and another brother, Elmer, of Steamboat Springs, Colorado,

Mr. Brandon was married in 1879 to Miss Eva Hay, a daughter of George W. Hay, one of the old settlers of Cloud county, and one of the first residents of Clyde. To Mr. and Mrs. Brandon have been born three children, two daughters and one son. Mildred, Amy and William. Mildred is the wife of A.C. Baker, of the Rock Island Elevator in Kansas City. They are the parents of two little sons, Willie and Burns, aged two and four years. Amy, a prepossessing and promising young woman, is a student of the Great Western Business College of Concordia.

Mr. Brandon bought the Kennedy residence in 1896. This is one of the most beautiful homes in Clyde; it has a frontage of two hundred and seventy-eight feet, surrounded by a Chinese Quince hedge, elegant lawn and fine shade trees. The residence is of the mansard architecture and was erected in 1881. Mr. Brandon is active in politics and affiliates with the Republican party. He was mayor of the city of Clyde in 1896-7 and has been a member of the council for several years. He has been a director and stockholder of the Elk State Bank since 1896. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The family are members of the Presbyterian church.

Mr. Brandon is a quiet and unpretentious man, but wields an extended influence among his fellow townsmen and is one of the solid men of Cloud county; the kind that helps to forward every worthy enterprise not only by his counsel and advice, but by contributing from his stores of a worldly nature.

JOHN HENRY BRIERLEY, M. D.

The services of Doctor Brierley among the citizens of Glasco and the Solomon valley who have been in need of medical assistance have been of incalculable value, and countless sufferers can testify to the potent charms of his professional skill. He is the pioneer physician of Glasco, and has obtained a reputation placing him in the front rank of the medical fraternity. He is possessed of far more than average ability and since he entered upon the study of medicine it has received his almost undivided attention. Doctor Brierley is profoundly popular, both professionally and socially, and is one of those individuals found in every community who wield an extended influence among their fellow men, politically and otherwise.

Lockport, New York, is his birthplace, his birth occurring in 1849. He is of English parentage; his father, John Brierley, was born in the city of Oldham. When Doctor Brierley was nine years of age his father moved from Lockport to Springfield, Ohio, and five years subsequently to Dayton, his present residence. Doctor Brierley's mother, before her marriage, was Harriett Bates. She was born on the edge of Wales, in the city of Shrewsbury; she was deceased in 1899. When Doctor Brierley arrived at the age of twelve years he began working in the foundry with his father, who was an iron moulder, and while engaged in this occupation earned money enough to gratify his, desire for a higher education, and entering Denison University, Granville, Ohio, he graduated in the arts from that institution in 1875. He then entered upon a medical course in the Starling Medical College, of Columbus, Ohio, finished that line of progress and was granted a diploma February 25, 1878. The following year he emigrated west to "inscribe his name on this goodly state of Kansas," and after a brief sojourn in Atchison, came to Cloud county and located in the then new town of Glasco, where in reality he began his career as a practitioner and where he has been so successful.

During the four and twenty years Doctor Brierley has been dispensing medicine to the sick and afflicted of the Solomon valley there has been no contraction or abridgement in the exercise of his profession. He did not make a mistake, when prospecting, to decide in that fair field opportunities were offered for an ambitious and enterprising physician. He has practiced in this vicinity continuously since 1878, with the exception of two years spent in Kansas City, as meat inspector, an office established by the United States government in the interests of agriculture and pure foods. Doctor Brierley takes an active interest in politics and is one of the wheel-horses of the Republican party. He served six years on the pension board, is vice-president of the Young Men's Republican Club, was made president of the Cloud County Medical Society, which was organized in Concordia May 20, 1902, and in the summer of 1902 he had the honor of being elected president of the State Medical Society, which convened at Topeka.

Mrs. Brierley's record as an educator and educational worker is one of the brightest in Cloud county. She was a teacher one year in the fifth grade of the Clyde schools and one year in the sixth and seventh grades of the Concordia schools. From J884 until 1887 she was principal of the Glasco schools, succeeding Mr. Mitchell, and in 1894 was elected to succeed Mr. Emick, resigned. Mrs. Brierley was elected county superintendent in 1894 and resigned the principalship of the Glasco schools to assume the duties of that office; she served four years, being re-elected the following term. During each year she visited all the schools in the county and in 1896-7 visited each district twice. She is now practically retired, but her interests in educational work have not waned and she manifests a lively concern in anything pertaining to school matters. The pretty residence of Doctor and Mrs. Brierley is an attractive cottage home, admirably appointed, heated with hot air and fitted throughout with modern conveniences.

JOHN BROOKS.

John Brooks is a progressive farmer and stockman of Lyon township. He is a native of Iowa, born in Keokuk county, in 1848. He is the youngest child of Johnsey and Margaret (Glover) Brooks' family of ten children. His father's place of nativity was Maryland, born near Baltimore, in 1792. He was of Dutch and Irish extraction. He emigrated from Maryland to Ohio, subsequently to Guernsey county and from there to Iowa. Mr. Brooks' mother was born in Ohio. She died in 1882, at the age of seventy-five years. She was of French extraction.

Of this family of ten children, just half of that number are living, viz: Louisa Jane, widow of Samuel Snyder, of Smith county, Kansas, Martha, wife of Benjamin Denny, all Englishman; they live on a farm in Keokuk county, Iowa. A sister, Nancy Adair, living in Missouri. Samuel, of Osborne county, enlisted in the Mexican war, was detained by illness in New Orleans and did not see active service. T.J., of Marion county, Kansas, is a furniture dealer in the town of Burns.

Mr. Brooks has never engaged in any occupation but farming and started out to earn a livlihood without capital, but possessed with the ambition and courage that serves a young man just starting in life better than finances. He rented land which he farmed and later bought a small tract of ground which he sold and in 1875, came to Cloud county, and took up a homestead which he sold about twelve years ago and in 1880, purchased the farm he now lives on adjoining his original place. He improved this farm and in 1901, erected a splendid modern residence of seven rooms. He purchased his original homestead in 1899, and now owns four hundred acres of good land. Upon his advent in Cloud county, he had but little else other than a large family. His assets were forty dollars and his liabilities sixty dollars. In 1888, he engaged in the sheep business and has made it a successful industry, even when the price of wool was low. He started with seven hundred sheep and his flock has varied from two to seven hundred, feeding and selling. Mr. Brooks is an extensive wheat grower. In 1901, he had two hundred acres that averaged sixteen bushels to the acre.

Mr. Brooks was married in 1867, to Julia Roll, a daughter of Warren L. and Melissa (Asken) Roll. Her father was an old settler of Cloud county. Homesteading and living here until 1890, then moved to Doniphan county, where he died In 1897. They were formerly from Indiana, but emigrated to Iowa, and from there to Kansas. Her father was a native of Kentucky. Her mother died In 1898. They were the parents of twelve children, all of whom are living but three. Five of their children were born in Orange county, Indiana, Mrs. Brooks included in that number. A brother, Warren Roll, is a farmer of Arion township; Maggie, wife of Elmer Tilton of Glasco. She has two brothers in Doniphan county, a sister and brother in Oklahoma and two sisters in Iowa.

To Mr. and Mrs. Brooks twelve children have been born, ten of whom are living, viz: Nancy Jane, wife of Frank Graham, a farmer of Lyon township. Their four children are, Nellie Naomi, Edna May, John Calvin and Abbie. Isaac W., the eldest son is a farmer of Lyon township. His family consists of a wife and four children; Ray, Lela, Freddie and Eddie. Mary Effie, the second daughter, is the wife of Rozzel Bailey, a farmer of Arion township. They are the parents of six children; Charles, Leota, Ettie, Roy, Eva and Myrle. Abbie, the third daughter, is the wife of Max Cross, a farmer of Rooks county. They have two children; Otto Glen and Gladys Glee. Alice, wife of Pat Driscoll, a farmer of Marshall county, Kansas. Their family consists of three children: Rita, Julius and Mabel. Willard Eaton; unmarried and assists with the farming and stock. Hannah, wife of Alvin Gates, a farmer of Lyon township. They are the parents of one little son, Vernie Ray. John L., is a student on his second year in the Concordia high school. The two younger sons, Ferdinand Taylor, and William H., are both at home.

Although Mr. Brooks has had many discouragements to contend with he is now on solid footing. His farm is one of the most highly improved in Lyon township. He has a fine basement barn 36 by 40 feet in dimensions with sixten[sic] foot wall. A hail storm passed over his land in 1889. The corn was in roasting ear; every vestige of his crop was destroyed. The storm included a strip ninety miles long and from six to eight miles wide, starting in the locality of Superior, Nebraska. This loss was seriously felt by Mr. Brooks, who at that time was not in a financial position to lose his crop without being badly crippled. Politically, Mr. Brooks is a Populist. He is a good citizen, an honest industrious and practical farmer and stockman.

JOHN BROWN.

John Brown, the subject of this sketch, living just over the line in Ottawa county is considered a factor of the Glasco community. He is a patron of long standing of their town and connected with them socially, hence the name of this worthy man would be conspicuous by its absence among the highly esteemed citizens of that vicinity.

Mr. Brown is a native of Lanarkshire, Scotland, born in the town of Airdrie in 1839. Her parents were John and Christina (Thompson) Brown. His father was born June 13, 1808, in Linlithgow Parish, Scotland. He enlisted in the English army early in life, but his father objected to his becoming a soldier and bought him off. He then learned the tinner's trade and later turned his attention to mining. He died February 21, 1860. Mr. Brown's mother was born in Sterlingshire Parish, Scotland, February 7, 1806, and died in July, 1889, at the age of eighty-three years. Mr. Brown is the fourth of a family of nine children, all were born in Scotland; five of that number are living.

Mr. Brown received a common school education in his native town and when he attained the age of twenty-one years, he emigrated to America, landing in Humboldt county, California on the 13th day of October, 1861, where he found employment in the Vance saw mill located at Eureka. Four months later he enlisted in Company A, Third California Infantry under Captain Thomas E. Ketchum and Colonel Pollick, spending four and one-half years scouting through California, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and Dakota.

He is the original "John Brown and his 'little Injun'." Their company was divided into three squads of twenty-five men each; one company remaining in the temporary camp while the other three scouted and were relieved alternately by those in camp. Mr. Brown was with Ketchum's men who were the first to make an attack bringing in a dozen and a half prisoners, among them squaws and papooses. Their guide, Joe Bartlett, in advance, entered the red-woods and came on the "Ranchee." All were surprised Indians and soldiers alike, for they were not aware of being in such close proximity to each other. As the Indians were on a narrow trail traveling single file, the guide fired killing one of their number. The Captain stood at the "Ranchee" until every man was stationed according to orders. Mr. Brown was the last man to come in line and he was ordered to fix bayonets and stand guard over the squaws and papooses, while many of the Indian braves were wounded and dying. He walked to and fro that none might escape and while doing so discovered a fish basket moving away and upon examination found a little Indian boy concealed underneath it and brought him away captive. His father was dead and the mother dying. The little fellow was making his escape under an eel basket. The boy's parents were killed by the same bullet. The savage was running before his squaw that her body might serve as a shield to save him, but the same bullet dealt death to both. In this attack fourteen bucks and one squaw were killed.

The haversacks contained but a few day's rations but they shared them among their captives. The prisoners were divided among the men to take into camp, making seven to each man. The "little Injun," who was about ten years of age, was among those allotted to David L. Christ, and the little fellow would keep falling back among Mr. Brown's company, seemingly thinking he would find protection with him. Mr. Brown, touched by the child's preference, suggested an exchange of prisoners, which was granted, and he clung to Mr. Brown in an affectionate manner and seemed to enjoy a feeling of security under his care.

When the regiment arrived at their camp, Fort Baker, Mr. Brown took his little captive down to the VanDusen river, cut his hair, gave him a bath, and dressed him in an old fatigue dress altered for the purpose, providing him with bedding in a bell tent, and in a short time a remarkable attachment grew up between them. The "little Injun" evidently looked upon Mr. Brown as his benefactor and would follow him like an affectionate dog, ready to do his least bidding.

Frank W. Cole and Hank McHirwon (the latter now of Pender, Nebraska) each took an Indian boy, who were domiciled together. They brought them to Stockton where the troops were ordered to meet for a march to Salt Lake City. Mr. Cole gave his boy to a friend at Stockton; Mr. McHirwon and Mr. Brown took theirs with them via Captain Ketchum's ranch to San Francisco. They took them upon the boat for something to eat and the Indians were spell bound by the glitter of the interior. It was like the "Tale of the Arabian Knights" to them and they could not eat. The next morning Captain Ketchum, called, and ordered these boys left for the reason that they could not stand the march. There was nothing to do but obey orders though Mr. Brown's intentions were to keep his protege. He was already being civilized and could send him to the markets for fruit, etc. When the boy found they were to be separated he clasped Mr. Brown around the thighs, wept and wailed in a piteous manner and Mr. Brown was deeply grieved to leave him, and from this incident came the verse, "John Brown had a 'little Injun'," which was attached to the song, "John Brown's body," etc.

Mr. Brown experienced many hardships on this expedition and he often awoke to find several inches of snow on his blanket. This company established the noted Fort Douglas, near Salt Lake City, which has since become one of the famous forts of the country. Mr. Brown visited Fort Douglas in 1896, and remarked a great change.

After the war he was recommended by his Colonel and a comrade of his company to Ellis & Brothers, wholesale liquor dealers of Salt Lake City, also dry goods, groceries, etc., where he received employment, remaining one year. He then engaged in mining in the silver mines of the Little Cottonwood Canyon. In 1868, during the excitement at Stillwater, he visited that locality but finding no inducements he entered the Green River country of Wyoming, where he opened a coal mine at Rock Springs station, nineteen miles distant, recorded it, but did not have the means to open the mine and returned to Green River, formed a company and manufactured adobe brick.

His next venture was at Fort Bridger, where he sunk oil wells at Quaking Asp Springs, and from there he engaged on the contract given by Brigham Young for the running of a tunnel through the Weber Canyon. In 1869, he located in Sand Springs, a station in Dickinson county, Kansas, and in 1870 homesteaded government land on Mortimer Creek, and one year subsequently removed to Ohio, where he worked in an iron factory at Salineville five years, and two years in an iron factory in Cleveland. He came to Ottawa county, in 1878, and bought the filing of a timber claim of Henry Sheets. There were no improvements and only two or three acres of ground broken. Mr. Brown improved this claim and has built for himself a comfortable home. He owns one hundred and twenty acres of land. His chief products are wheat, corn and alfalfa.

Mr. Brown was married June 19, 1867, to Elizabeth Hillhouse, a sister of Robert and John Hillhouse. She died February 15, 1897, at the age of forty-seven years. They were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living. Margaret, the eldest daughter, is an intelligent and excellent young woman and since her mother's death she has been housekeeper for her father and brothers. Christina is the wife of Moses Bucy, a farmer of Cloud county; they are the parents of one little daughter, Myrtle Elizabeth. John and William, the two sons, operate the farm, Mr. Brown having retired from active farm life. Nellie, married Thomas Stratton, a prosperous farmer and stockman of Ottawa county; they are the parents of one child, a little son, Dean. Jeanette and Effie, the two youngest daughters live at home.

Mr. Brown is a Republican in politics. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic of Glasco. The sons, William and John, are members of the order of Woodmen of Glasco.

Mr. Brown has just completed one of the most beautiful and unique caves the writer has ever seen. It is an excavation in the hill side - a perfect arch chiseled out of the solid and vari-colored rock which forms the ceiling, walls and floor. The stone of various hues and quality is formed in layers or strata which are made more pleasing by the markings of the workmen's chisel. This cave is a gem in its way and it is doubtful if its equal could be found in any locality.

VIRGIL A. BROWN.

V.A. Brown, a retired farmer with residence in Concordia, is one of the pioneers of Kansas. He first settled in Waubaunsee county, where he farmed rented land and the following year, 1867, removed to Cloud county and settled on Wolf creek, in Buffalo township, three and one-half miles southeast of Concordia, when he and Phillip Kiser were the only settlers on that creek, and, when the buffalo appeared in numbers like a living, surging mass of animal life. In 1868 they were the most numerous, often covering a surface of four or five square miles, huddled closely together.

Mr. Brown witnessed the killing of Mr. White by the Indians August 13, 1868, and he was a member of the militia formed to protect the settlers from the Indian uprisings. This company of militia were disbanded but never discharged. Mr. Brown has seen the country develop from its primitive days down to the present. He homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres, pre-empted one hundred and sixty, and bought a soldier's right to forty acres of land. In 1878 he traded two hundred acres of this land for two valley farms, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres each, two and one-half miles west of Ames. The same year he bought one hundred and sixty acres on the Republican and later another tract of one hundred and thirteen acres. He now owns a total of seven hundred and fifty-three acres of land. Mr. Brown has dealt largely in stock; raising, feeding and shipping. In 1891 he retired from active farm life and established a residence in Concordia and was one of the original organizers of that city. During the grasshopper and drouth years Mr. Brown became discouraged, but never lost faith in the ultimate greatness of Kansas.

Mr. Brown is a native of Columbus, Ohio, born in 1844. His parents died when he was a youth and he was reared in the home of an aunt, his father's sister. He was an only child. In August, 1861, he enlisted in the Sixth Indiana. The state had five regiments in the Mexican war and when organizing companies for the Civil war they began numbering at six. This regiment was commanded by Colonel Crittenden, who was promoted to general. They operated in Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi and on the Cumberland. They were of the Fourth Corps. The history of the regiment gives nineteen hard battles and numerous skirmishes. They were in all the battles of the Atlantic slope, Chickamauga, Kenesaw Mountain, Missionary Ridge, etc. Mr. Brown received five slight wounds. He was in active service the entire three years and one month he served in the army. His immediate company served with distinction. Over two hundred of the one thousand men in his regiment were killed.

Mr. Brown received a limited common school education, having enlisted in the United States service when only sixteen years of age. After the war he returned to the home of his uncle and in March, 1866, was married to Catherine McGaw, of Pennsylvania, and the same year emigrated to Kansas. Mrs. Brown was deceased in April, 1901. To this union were born eight children, four of whom died in infancy.

Those living are: Florence Allen, wife of L.G. Pearson, a Cloud county farmer; Elva, wife of W.L. Acton, an extensive stockman of Decatur county, Kansas; Cora Eunice, wife of C.G. Ross, head clerk in Bolinger's clothing store of Concordia; James W., a resident of Kansas City, foreman of Chamberlain's Weather Strip Company. Mr. Brown's daughters are all talented in music and are educated and refined women. Mrs. Pearson was a teacher of Cloud county for several years. She received her education in the Concordia schools and in the Agricultural College at Manhattan. The son, James, graduated from the Concordia high school and from the Gem City Business College of Quincy, Illinois.

Mr. Brown and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. Brown is another one of those reliable self-made men and owns some of the best property in Cloud county. His farm is under a high state of improvement, commodious farm house with driveways of cottonwoods and many evergreens, making it one of the most beautiful country places in the county.

JAMES H. BURBANK.

One of the most highly esteemed families of the Miltonvale community is that of J.H. Burbank, an old resident of Cloud county and an old veteran of the Civil war, whose narrow escapes indicate he has participated in many battles. Mr. Burbank is a native of the Netherlands of Holland, province of Uerichland, born in 1838. He is a son of Hilbrand and Gertrude (Molland) Burbank.

Mr. Burbank in his earlier life, was a sea-faring man; went on the water at the age of thirteen years as a sailor on a merchant ship. He came to America and found employment in the factories of Rhode Island and when the threatening war clouds began to gather he was one of the first to offer his services for the protection of the flag of his adopted country. He enlisted the day following the date of the first call, April 16, 1861, in Company G, First Rhode island Volunteers, which was the first regiment equipped that came to Washington, and the first regiment reviewed at Washington by Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Burbank enlisted as a private but was promoted to second sergeant in 1862, for gallant conduct. He served as first sergeant, as substitute for a prisoner of war, but was non-commissioned. He was one of twelve men who were struck by fragments of an exploded shell. Two of the number were killed outright and Mr. Burbank was left on the field for dead, but revived and was gathered in with the wounded. Having been a sailor, Mr. Burbank responded to the call for volunteers for the navy and served on detached service in that department for eleven months, and was an able assistant when heavy artillery had to be brought into action. He was allowed to select his men for service from his regiment. He was on board a gun-boat with Commodore Perry in the skirmish of Black Water, near Franklin, Virginia, and had his coat pierced in this engagement with thirteen bullet holes; his hat was shot off his head three times, the last time knocking it overboard. The fleet consisted of three gun-boats, under Captain Flusher. For service and gallantry at Black Water Mr. Burbank received a bronze medal from the navy department, in which he takes a pardonable pride. It is a star surmounted by an American eagle, the bird holding two minature guns, a sword, and shot in his talons. On the star is engraved a woman with a shield representing victory, the vanquished foe departing from her.

Governor Sprague was with Company G as war governor. At the first battle of Bull Run his horse was shot out from under him. Their regiment commander was the gallant General Burnsides. Mr. Burbank has participated in many a hard fought battle and in many a long and weary march. One of the heaviest losses his regiment sustained was the blowing up of the mine at Petersburg. Of the eighteen of his immediate company but two comrades besides himself escaped. Four thousand men were lost all because their leaders were not sustained by the officers of other commands.

Mr. Burbank returned home on a furlough in 1864 and was married to Mary A. Burns. One year after his return home from the war, Mr. Burbank came west and settled in Macon county, Missouri, and through correspondence with a friend, Charles Proctor, he came to Kansas. He came to better better condition and succeeded admirably, for he has made a home where, surrounded by his estimable family, he enjoys all the comforts of life and under no condition would he return to his New England home. He is a true and staunch friend of the great state of Kansas. A trip made to the East did much toward making Mr. and Mrs. Burbank contented with their western home.

Mr. Burbank visited the B.B. and R. Knight cotton mills at Natick, the largest corporation in the world, where forty years prior he met the girl that later shared alike his joy, and sorrows. While visiting his old New England home in 1901 he attended the reunion at Providence, Rhode Island, which was held that year, and while there met some of his old regimental comrades. He also met Captain Chase of his company, whom he had lost all trace of since he was wounded in the head and could not speak for seven months. Mr. Burbank mourned him as dead until they met in Providence that summer, and as they rehearsed those experiences that were amusing, they both laughed, but the next moment as they perhaps recalled some pathetic scene of suffering and privation. These scarred veterans anf old comrades wept like children.

In 1877 Mr. Burbank with his excellent family became residents of Cloud county, and homesteaded land three and one-half miles southwest of Miltonvale, in Oakland township, where he raises and feeds graded cattle. He has at present a fine herd of one hundred and twenty-five head. The first residence of the Burbanks in Kansas consisted of a basement, with roof of boards, where they lived in true pioneer style, and in this humble dwelling the first school of the district was taught. The Burbanks are the only residents of the district that were there at that time. In 1883 they built a substantial stone barn, and in 1886 erected a commodious two-story residence of seven rooms, and Mr. Burbank has provided sheds for his cattle to protect them from the wintry storms and shelter for all his stock.

Mrs. Burbank is a native of Glasgow, Scotland. Her parents died when she was a child and she came to America with an aunt who had raised her. She lived with this aunt until her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Burbank seven children have been born, five of whom are living: John, the eldest child and only son, operates the farm and shares equally with his father in the profits and losses of the farm and stock. He with his little eight-year-old daughter, Grace, live with his parents, his wife having died. Nellie, the eldest daughter, teaches the square inch tailoring system and is very successful. Anna, the second daughter, is learning the tailoring system with the intention of teaching it. Gertrude assists her mother with the household duties. Agnes, the youngest daughter, has been a teacher in the Cloud county schools for two years. She was principally educated in the home district. These daughters have been reared in the school of industry and are intelligent, industrious young women.

Mr. Burbank affiliates with the Republican party, but is an expansionist and considers his country before any other issue. He voted for Bryan in his first campaign. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Miltonvale post, and is an active worker. The family are members of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Burbank retains his New England thrift and the economy of his fatherland, which has built him a home where he can spend his declining years in comfort and ease. His wife and children have been true helpers and to them is due a share of the credit for their comfortable home. He had led an honorable career of real service and well doing and is reaping the comforts of a well spent life, surrounded by an interesting family; his wife, who is a true helpmate and companion, a son, who is honorable and industrious, four daughters, who are excellent young women, and a grandchild, little Grace, who has won her way into the hearts of the household.

ELIAS NATHANIEL BURGESON.

One can imagine such a type as Mr. Burgeson suggesting the theme Longfellow immortalized in his poem entitled "The Village Blacksmith." His shop in the little village of Maceyville is one of the best equipped in the country, furnished with all of the latest improved tools and machinery for blacksmithing and wagon repairing.

This enterprising and industrious young man grew to manhood on his father's farm in Arion township, adjacent to the village to Macyville, where Mr. Burgeson was born in 1873, and received his education in District No. 51. He is a son of Ole Burgeson, a native of Norway, born in 1843.

Ole Burgeson served an apprenticeship as painter for three years in his native country. In 1866, he came to America and worked at his trade in the city of New York, where he met and married Maria Ockerblad, a native of Sweden. In 1870, while enroute to California they heard of the Solomon valley, stopped off, looked over the situation and took up a homestead where he lived until 1900, when he moved into Glasco. Mrs. Burgeson is a weaver of carpets, having learned this trade in Sweden, where she was also a weaver of linen cloth.

E.N. Burgeson is one of six children: Josephine Christine was a teacher before her marriage to James Shepard, a farmer of Oklahoma; Julia Elizabeth, unmarried; Levi Benjamin, a farmer; Emma Amelia, wife of Robert E. Cole, and Alice May.

Mr. Burgeson learned his trade by practical experience, having always been interested in mechanical work. He began operating on a cash capital of three dollars when nineteen years of age. He established a shop on the farm, where he experimented and gradually developed a knowledge of the different kinds of work incident to blacksmithing, except horse shoeing. His shop now contains a four-horse-power gasoline engine; sharpens plows and all edged farm tools with trip hammer. A wood boring machine for tenoning wheels is run by this engine, which is superior to the old way with a brace. This machine, of his own invention, is a folding device that serves two purposes - a common boring machine and also a tenoning machine. He also has a device for blowing the bellows by means of a crank wheel, from which extends a rod down to the bellows handle where it is attached by means of a screw clutch, thereby making it tight or loose, which gives him perfect control over his fire. This ingenious device is also run by the engine. Mr. Burgeson is a progressive young man and one who will undoubtedly keep up with the times. He owns his shop, a building 24 by 36 feet in dimensions.

JOSEPH ELIJAH BURKHART.

Burkhart is one of the oldest settlers of Oakland township. He came to Kansas in 1870, and bought property in Topeka, The following year he came to Cloud county and settled in the Solomon valley, where he took up a homestead in Oakland township.

Mr. Burkhart was born January 3, 1838, in Butler, Pennsylvania. In 1872, he was ordained as a clergyman in the United Brethren church, filling the pulpit for twelve years; many of the citizens of Oakland township have been members of his congregation. Under personal conviction Mr. Burkhart withdrew from the ministry, and from the church, and was dismissed at his own request. He has since become an agnostic, assuming thought is God. He is author of the following poem which was published in a standard work:

"A thinking man's akin to God,
Great fountain of mind,
A quenchless flame let nature laud
All living men that's kind,
To think a thought must be divine,
Supreme in peace in rage of storm,
Oh mighty fortress thought's sublime,
'Tis here and there in human form.

To think a thought must be divine,
Weaving friendship true and pure,
Grander than the stars that shine,
And leads to duty plain and sure.

In thought perhaps the weak is strong;
A herculean in might,
To turn the tempest into song,
Of intellectual light.

Go get your thoughts from nature true,
The budding rose or roaring sea,
The singing streams and arch of blue,
Which teach the soul and makes it free.

Mr. Burkhart has also composed numerous other poems, among which are Taboo's: Tumult? Anarchy. The Recoil of Force. Why Be Your Brother's Keeper?

Mr. Burkhart has been honored several times by the election as delegate to state and district conventions of Kansas, and in 1896 was a Republican candidate for the legislature but was defeated in convention and again defeatedt - o put it mild - he says, "by conspiracy against the majority for district clerk, in 1900." He has filled the chair of editor on several Kansas newspapers. In 1884-5, edited the Miltonvale News, and has contributed to various papers and periodicals. He is a writer of considerable note and some of his poems have been incorporated in standard works.

Mr. Burkhart was a soldier in the Civil war; enlisted as a private in Company A, Sixth Pennsylvania Regiment, and served till the close of the war. A brother, Baxter Clay Burkhart, was a member of the famous Bucktail Zouaves, Ninth Regiment, Pennsylvania Reserves, McCall's Division. He contracted measles and died. He was one of the first to go over the stone wall at the battle of Chancellorsville, and it was conceded that his act saved the day. He was but sixteen years old and would have been given a medal for his brave deed had he not died.

Mr. Burkhart is one of the pioneers of Cloud county and helped in the organization of Oaklond township, which was then a part of Meredith. He has been a notary public for several years and also engaged in real estate business. He was married in 1857, to Miss Eleanor N. Stewart, of Dryden, New York. Mrs. Burkhart is a graduate of Butler College, Butler, Pennyslvania, and was a teacher for many years, beginning at the age of sixteen. She taught the first school in Oakland township, in a dugout, free gratis, to secure the new district ratio of state fund. She also taught the first school in the new school house at a salary of fifteen dollars per month, and again in 1878. The dugout was simply a hole in the ground, and the school numbered less than a dozen pupils. To Mr. and Mrs. Burkhart have been born one son and three daughters, only one of whom is living: Mrs. Clara Watson, wife of David Watson, a farmer of Oakland township.

Mr. Burkhart is a son of Elijah Burkhart, who was born in Butler, Pennsylvania, January 3, 1803. He was a millwright, carpenter, joiner and widely known in politics. Was one of the Republicans and original Whigs in Pennsylvania. He started on a career with practically nothing, but died wealthy. Mr. Burkhart's grandfather was born near Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, of Dutch origin. He was a prisoner with the Indians four years, escaped and joined Washington's army and served with him at Valley Forge, Trenton and White Marsh, until the close of the war. His paternal grandmother was Miss Margaret Powell, of English ancestry. Mr. Burkhart's great-grandfather was from Frankfort, Germany. Mr. Burkhart's mother was formerly Miss Rebecca Richardson, daughter of Joseph Richardson, whose grandfather came with him from England and settled in Philadelphia. The marriage relationship between his parents connected the Washingtons, Lees, Custers, Harpers, Neglies, Pattersons, Kenedies, Richardsons, and Burkharts.

Mr. and Mrs. Burkhart live on the old homestead and enjoy the fruits of their labors in a little vine clad cottage. Mr. Burkhart is interested in the North American Crude Oil Company, in California, and the Beaumont (Texas) on wells, Chanute and Buffalo, Kansas; and Belton, Missouri. The company's oil lands in California consist of five thousand acres. The Belton (Missouri), Kansas and Beaumont properties are large, and the syndicate is reaching out to other fields; a strong company with a bright future, a leader in the world's great enterprise.

WILLIAM McKINDREE BURNS.

Mr. Burns is one of the original Town Company of the city of Concordia and is one of her most highly esteemed citizens. He has not achieved the success financially that some of his fellow citizens have, but he is one of those old pioneers who helped pave the way for the glory of those who came later. But Mr. Burns possesses a good name which adversities nor even poverty can dissipate.

He is a native of Platt county, Missouri, born August 13, 1840. His father was the Reverend Isaac Burns, of Virginia birth and Scotch origin. Reverend Burns was a pioneer of Missouri, settling at St. Joseph when that city was a village. He was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church (North), and during the latter part of the 'fifties Missouri became an undesirable field for a non-sympathizing dispenser of the gospel. In the autumn of 1856 he was transferred to the Iowa conference and subsequently to Nebraska where he had charge of the Tecumseh work, followed by various charges incident to the itinerant circuit rider. He was stationed at Falls City, DeSoto and later was made presiding elder with residence in Omaha, where he died in 1871. Mr. Burns' mother was Phoebe Persinger, of Dutch persuasion. She died one year later than her husband. The Persingers were early settlers in Virginia, where some of them were slaveholders.

Mr. Burns received a good education in the high schools of Nebraska and attended Scotts Academy, of Platt county, Missouri, for one year. He began earning a livelihood by teaching school and gave up this vocation to serve his country and enlisted in Company E, Twenty-fifth Regiment, Missouri Volunteers, under Colonel Seabody, serving three years and nine days. His company was in the battles of Shiloh, Pittsburg Landing, the siege of Atlanta and with Sherman at Savannah. The Twenty-fifth Regiment was merged into another company and took the name of the First Missouri Engineer Corps.

After the war Mr. Burns returned to DeSoto, Nebraska, visiting his father, who was stationed there. Soon afterward he went to Mills county, where he engaged in the saw milling business with fairly good success. Two years later he became interested with his father in mercantile pursuits at Aurora, on the Weeping river. One year later they removed their goods to Penn, Nebraska; the next spring Mr. Burns retired from the firm and emigrated to Kansas, where he took advantage of his homestead right, and also pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres of land where the town of Rice now stands. The other tract of land he disposed of to the county and is now included in the county farm for the poor.

Mr. Burns filed on land where part of Concordia is now situated, which he platted as an addition. The original Town Company was more interested in building a town than increasing their bank accounts. Lots that sold for one hundred dollars would now bring from three to four thousand. They had never built a town before. Were they ever to build another they would in all probability profit from past experiences. Mr. Burns has been engaged in several enterprises. In 1871 he associated himself with W.T.S. May in the real estate business. In the early 'eighties he established a drug store in Scandia, remaining two years, returning to Concordia, selling the stock one year later.

Mr. Burns was married to Almira, daughter of Jacob Brisbine, in 1872. To Mr. and Mrs. Burns four children have been born: Arthur, an employe of the Natal Railroad Company in South Africa. He is a telegrapher; received his education and entered upon his profession in Concordia. Clara B., wife of James McCoy, a railway mail clerk, with residence in Kansas City. Robert William, with Rigby & Wilson, furniture dealers, of Concordia, where he has been a trusted and valued employe. Charles Frederick is a telegrapher, with residence in Kansas City. Mr. Burns votes the Republican ticket.

GEORGE W. BURROUGHS

Both in the field of journalism and as a citizen George W. Burroughs, the subject of this sketch, has represented the interests of Cloud county. He has championed with his pen all measures promoted for the advancement of education, morality and religion, without regard to political issues, public opinion, or denominational societies.

Mr. Burroughs came to Concordia in 1900 to take possession of the Blade, which he found low in the scale of prosperity. In the spring of 1902 he formed an association with George A. Clark, ex-secretary of the state of Kansas, and purchased the Empire, which they consolidated with the Blade, under the title of the Blade and Empire. On an unhopeful foundation, success due to untiring efforts and journalistic qualities made it possible to conduct a daily paper in connection with the weekly, which is steadily gaining in popularity, not only because its local columns are replete with items of interest, but as an advertising medium for the business people of Concordia and vicinity. The large subscription lists afford substantial evidence that both the Daily Blade and the Blade and Empire are largely distributed among the reading public. The equipment of the mechanical department of this office is one of the most complete in northwest Kansas and is an item worthy of remark. The new press on which these papers are now printed, is the latest improved Babcock Reliance, a machine largely used in the better class of printing offices. It is built to cover a special field - newspaper, book and job work. The press can be run at a speed of two thousand an hour, as noiselessly as a bicycle, and so smoothly that a full length lead pencil set on end on the frame is not jarred off. It occupies a floor space of five by eight feet and weighs three and a half tons.

The Eclipse is a machine that abolishes the old method of hand folding; folds, pastes, trims and delivers either four, eight, ten or twelve pages with a speed and accuracy that is wonderful. The presses of their job department are also complete to a degree seldom found in the smaller cities. This conveniently arranged office is located on Sixth street, between Washington and State streets.

Mr. Burroughs, the editor-in-chief and manager of this enterprise, is a native of the "Hoosier" state, born in Lafayette in 1858. He was reared and educated in that city and began his newspaper career on the Lafayette Times shortly after leaving school. From 1881 until 1888 he was city editor of the Louisville Courier-Journal and later was identified with the Louisville Commercial as editorial writer. After having been connected with various papers in the south, Mr. Burroughs established the Central City Republican at Central City, Kentucky, the only Republican paper in the thirteen counties that comprises the third congressional district. He came to Kansas late in the 'eighties and located in Dickinson county where he became the first publisher of the Hope Herald, and subsequently the Abilene Daily and the Weekly Chronicle. Mr. Burroughs was married in 1881 to Miss Clara Covert, of Lafayette, Indiana. Two children have been born to them: Covert G., who is a druggist by occupation, and a little daughter, Dorris, aged eleven. Mr. Burroughs has pursued his chosen field with a rare singleness of purpose and takes a pardonable pride in the success he has attained, and more especially in Concordia, where he practically resurrected one paper, and through the combination of the two sheets has developed a paper thoroughly alive.

HORACE BUSHNELL, D.D.

The Reverend Mr. Bushnell, pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Concordia, is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, born in 1836. His father was the Reverend Horace Bushnell, Sr., a native of Connecticut, born in 1802, who was also a Presbyterian minister for eighteen years and then became a Congregationalist. He located in Cincinnati about 1830 and pursued his theological studies in Lane Seminary after having had a training in the Manual Labor School of Whitestown, New York. After coming to Cincinnati Reverend Bushnell, Sr., taught school while studying at the seminary, and was licensed to preach about the same time this institution was organized as a theological school. At the expiration of two years' study he began his ministerial career and remained in the city of Cincinnati for fifty years or until his death in 1883. He organized the little society known as "Storrs Congregational church," and ministered to this congregation in connection with city missionary work for many years, and was well known throughout the city.

The Bushnell ancestors came to Boston about 1636, and subsequently settled in Connecticut. Francis Bushnell was one of the colonists who founded the town of Guilford, now quite a city; then follows an issue through five generations to Jason Bushnell, who was the grandfather of Reverend Horace Bushnell, Jr., and like many of the family lived to an extreme old age, several of the Bushnells almost reaching the century mark. He was a man noted for his industry and integrity and was a soldier of the Revolution. Mr. Bushnell's mother was Caroline (Hastings) Bushnell, who was of English origin; her ancestry came to America about 1636 and, like the Bushnells, settled in Connecticut. John Howard Payne, the author of "Home, Sweet Home," was a relative of Mrs. Bushnell. She was born in 1801 and died in 1886.

Mr. Bushnell was educated in part at Oberlin College, but in 1859 graduated at Farmer's College, now absorbed in the Cincinnati University. His theological studies were pursued in Lane Seminary, where he graduated in 1862, and engaged in his pastoral work. He was ordained in 1863 at Madison, Indiana. Reverend Bushnell enlisted in the United States service in 1862 and was one of the one hundred thousand "squirrel hunters" sent out by Ohio to repel the invasion of General Bragg, but about nine days afterward they were relieved and he was permitted to return to his field of labor. He received his discharge about ten years ago. During the war he labored at different times in the Christian commission. This was a volunteer movement, without pay, for the bodies and souls of the soldiers. Those who engaged in it had their needful expenses paid, but no more. They supplemented the work of chaplains and nurses, and hesitated at nothing that could help or sustain the man who carried the gun.

Reverend Bushnell's first pastorate was in the village of Allensville, Indiana. Two years later he went to St. Louis Crossing, Indiana, and thence to Southport, Indiana, where he had charge of the congregation for ten years. He came to Minneapolis, Kansas, in the spring of 1877, where he labored for five years, and in January, 1882, came to Concordia, where he has since had charge of the First Presbyterian church. He was married in 1866 to Mrs. Verissa Bonham, the widow of Aaron E. Bonham, of Elizabethtown, Ohio. By her former marriage there were three children, John L., a resident of Columbus, Indiana; Everett O., of Columbus, Indiana, and Kitty M., widow of Judge W.L. Harvey, of Chandler, Oklahoma.

Mrs. Bushnell is the daughter of Hiram and Sarah (Fisher) Olmstead, natives of Massachusetts. The Olmsteads came to West Meredith, New York, where Mrs. Bushnell was born, and later moved to Indiana. Her father was a teacher and under him she received her principal education. To Mr. and Mrs. Bushnell four children have been born, three of whom lived to maturity. Carrie H., wife of Dr. F.A. Butterfield, of Lawrence, Michigan, a physician of considerable prominence. She was a teacher for a number of years and held positions at Salina, Jewell City, Topeka and Concordia. They have two children, Claire and Horace. Alice F., deceased wife of F.C. Perkins, of Durango, Colorado, an attorney and registrar of land office. He was formerly a well-known educator in Beloit and Concordia, but removed to Colorado with the hope of benefiting Mrs. Perkins' health. She was a young woman of many natural personal charms, well known and beloved in the city of Concordia. She died in Durango, Colorado, in February 1898, leaving three children, viz: Harold Bushnell, Lewis Mayne and Dorothy Alice. Herbert H., a resident of Aspen, Colorado, is the manager of the Times, a morning daily paper. He finished a classical course from Wabash College, Indiana, read law for a time, but later turned his attention to newspaper work.

Mr. Bushnell is a man of orthodox views and not only enjoys the esteem and confidence of his congregation, but of the entire community wherein he labors.

PIERCE E. BUTLER.

Among the citizens of Celtic origin who have become thoroughly Americanized and closely associated with the farming and stock raising industry in Kansas is P.E. Butler of Lyon township. Mr. Butler has also gained prominence at the bar as one of the able attorneys of Cloud county. He has fully borne out the reputation of that class of energetic men of Irish nativity who have risen conspicuously in business, social and professional circles.

Mr. Butler was born in Dublin, in 1838. His parents were Timothy and Ann (Nolan) Butler, both born in the city of Dublin. In 1847, they emigrated to America and settled in Madison, Wisconsin, where Mr. Butler was educated in the common schools. His father died March 24, 1865; his mother died August 12, 1854. There was a family of nine children, all of whom died in infancy except three sons, two of whom were killed in the Civil war, John F. fell on the day of the assault on Vicksburg and George W. died at home from a gunshot wound received in the United States service. Thus Mr. Butler is the only remaining member of his father's family.

At the breaking out of the war he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Eleventh Wisconsin Infantry, serving his adopted country four years, two months and three days. His regiment was under the command of several noted generals - Halleck, McClellan and Grant. He was with Major N.P. Banks on Red River and Major General E.0.C. Ord at Mobile, Alabama. He was in the following regular engagements: Peach Orchard, Virginia; Port Hudson, Jackson, Champion Hills, Mississippi, Black River Bridge, and the assault on Vicksburg, September 22, 1863, and Fort Esperanza, Texas; Mr. Butler always had a desire to visit Texas but not in that capacity. He had an arm broken and received a wound in the foot at Fort Blakely, Alabama. He witnessed the fall of Mobile.

Prior to the war Mr. Butler had read law in the office of George B. Smith. After his return home he pursued his studies in the office of Welch & Kissam, attorneys of Madison, Wisconsin, at the same time teaching school. In 1869, he emigrated to Iowa and one year later to Kansas where he secured his present farm, his original homestead, when there were but few settlers in the present community and where a few buffalo were still passing and numerous antelope.

Mr. Butler continued his pedagogical following which assisted him out of many financial straits. He taught two years in No. 47; this district was organized in 1873. They voted bonds and built a one thousand dollar stone school building. The first board of officers were D.J. Fowler, director; Thomas Butler, treasurer, George Billings, clerk. Mr. Butler taught three years in District No. 6, one year in No. 22, and one year in No. 58. In 1894, he was admitted to the bar of Kansas, and the same year received the nomination from the Populist party for county attorney of Cloud county, but Mr. Butler was on the wrong ticket, and in 1901, when he ran for representative. At both elections he polled a large vote but the party was not in favor.

Mr. Butler was married April 4, 1869, to Miss Mary E. Hughes, who was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and emigrated with her parents to Wisconsin, when she was seven years old. Her paternal ancestors were of Irish origin, while her maternal ancestors were English. Her mother's father was a distinguished Episcopal minister.

To Mr. and Mrs. Butler have been born an interesting family of nine children, all of whom are living and occupy places of prominence. His daughters are exceptionally bright and intelligent women and very successful as educators. Mr. Butler has given his children the advantages for acquiring an education and they have improved them to the utmost. The children are: Josephine is the wife of Wilford Menard, and they reside in Chicago. She is a graduate from the Salina Normal school and was a successful teacher in this state and also in Michigan. Kate, the second daughter, has occupied a place in the eighth grade of the Concordia high school for a number of years. She taught in the country districts and one year in the Beloit schools and is one of the few teachers of Cloud county exempt from examination, holding a state certificate. Timothy J. holds a position in the census department. He was a student of the Agricultural College of Manhattan one year, of the Madison Wisconsin University two years and graduated from the law department of the Kansas University in 1899. He graduated from the University of Washington in diplomacy and jurisprudence. While finishing a course at the Columbia Law School, he is filling the position in the census office with the ultimate intention of following the profession of law. Margaruite, wife of Walter B. Davis, a Cloud county farmer, was also a teacher. Frances, who has been a teacher for a period of five years, is now employed in District No. 58. Belle, a graduate of the Concordia High school, class of 1901, will follow in her sisters' footsteps and teach the present year. Rosa, a school girl in attendance at District No. 47, has given her attention to music rather than teaching. Clara, graduated from the common schools in 1901, and is now a student of the Concordia high school. Eugene, a bright lad of twelve years, completes the family.

Mr. Butler owns two hundred and forty-five acres of ground which is mostly wheat land. In an exhibit at the World's Fair in Chicago, in 1893, he was awarded a beautiful bronze medal for the best quality of red winter wheat. Mr. Butler along with Mr. Collins, who was interested in the exposition, selected a bushel of wheat. His exhibit was taken from bulk in the granary just as it was threshed from the machine. The yield per acre was thirty-four bushels, weight sixty-one and one-half pounds. The award was one of twenty-nine received in the state on threshed wheat, and one of two that came to Cloud county, which was not included in the wheat belt at that date.

Mr. Butler with his family live in a commodious, imposing, two-story residence of twelve rooms. He has a small but well bearing apple orchard. In March, 1880, he brought into the country one of the first herds of Shorthorn cattle. The family are members of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Butler is a member of the Society of Elks, of Concordia.

DENNIS BYRNE.

One of the pioneers of Shirley township is Dennis Byrne, who homesteaded a claim on Beaver creek, section 11 range 1, town 6, in 1869. A year and a half later he sold the homestead and contested the claim known as the "McNelly heirs" claim, which he won, and has since lived on until selling to E.J. Turner in the spring of 1902, taking in exchange a stock of hardware and harness. Mr. Byrne, in connection with John Dowell, bought the first ferry that ran across the Republican river at Clyde, called the Clyde Ferry Company. It was established in 1871. There was a great deal of travel at that time and it proved a lucrative transaction. About three years ago Mr. Byrne went into the watermelon raising business. The ground thus planted averaged per acre from twenty to twenty-five dollars.

Mr. Byrne was born in Pennsylvania in 1842, but was reared in the state of Ohio, where he worked in the coal mines most of the time until he enlisted to take part in the glorious struggle that redeemed our nation and of which like every old veteran he is justly proud. He entered the service in 1863, Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Ohio, under Colonel Howard Johns and General Burnsides. After seven months he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Ninety-first Ohio Volunteers, under Colonel Kimberly, and served in the Middle Department of the Shenandoah, under General Hancock. Mr. Byrne participated in the siege of Knoxville, surrender of Cumberland Gap and several minor engagements. The last company were with the pioneer corps. Mr. Byrne served until the close of the war and was discharged August, 1865, at Winchester, Virginia. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic of Clyde, and was a charter member of both the first and present organization.

Mr. Byrne was married in 1872 to Etta Lamb, of Indiana. Her parents came to Kansas in 1872 from Nebraska, where they had lived a short time prior to coming to this state. To Mr. and Mrs. Byrne five children have been born: John F., Dennis, Lemuel J. and two little daughters, Allie and Olive. John F. served an apprenticeship under Mr. Turner, former proprietor of their present business. Dennis and Lemuel J. both assist in the store.

Mr. Byrne is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and one of the first to be initiated in the lodge at Clyde. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen of eighteen years' standing. He is an independent in politics and votes for the man regardless of party. Mr. Byrne was county commissioner from 1893 to 1896 and was instrumental in getting the bounty of one dollar each placed on the wolf scalps. He has been road overseer and treasurer of his township.

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