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Farewell Party for Mr. & Mrs. J.H. RENSING

Biographies

Silas AKERS

For this researcher, Abraham Aker will from Clay County, Indiana was the first document to name his son, Silas Akers as one of Elizabeth Akers Chance's brothers and sisters. However, the name Silas was not unfamiliar because Elizabeth Chance, who lived in Butler County, Ohio, had named a son Silas Chance.

Tracing Silas Akers required some searching because he was not living with his parents in Clay County, Indiana in 1850. A census search of Indiana and Illinois revealed that in 1850 Silas Akers lived in Hancock County, Illinois. He was a 28 year old farmer, born in Ohio, with real estate valued at $1,000. His wife and two children were; Elizabeth 31, born in TN; Abraham A., 02 born in Illinois, and John 6/12 born in Illinois. Also living with them were three Wills children born in IL: George M., 9, Sarah J., 7, and Samuel S., 5.

One Hancock Co., IL publication lists her name as Elizabeth Wells, married to Silas Akers 8 Feb., 1848. Another Hancock Co., publication of marriage records lists her as Wills. It gives three marriages for Silas Akers: 1.) Silas Akars/Elizabeth W. Wills 12 Sept 1847, Married by George Walker JP (License 1197); 2.) Silas Akers/Nancy Staley 28 Spr 1855 Vol. 2:29 (License 2457); 3.) Silas Akers/Mrs. Martha Ament 19 Apr 1857 Vol. 2:44 (License 2931).

This writer has yet to locate an 1860 census record for Silas and Martha. They are not listed in the 1860 IL index, but perhaps they were missed. Their youngest child, Silas Elmer Akers, was born 27 May 1861 in Quincy, (Adams Co.), IL. A further search is required.

By 1870, they were in Neosho Co., KS with their six Akers children but no Wills children. The Akers children, all born in IL, were: Abram A., 22, John W., 20, Catherine M., 18, Elizabeth M., 16, Anderson F., (Silas) Elmer E., 9.

All but one of these given names can be identified as a family name. Silas named two children after his parents -- Catherine and Abraham. Two are names of his siblings -- John and Elizabeth -- and one is named after himself, Silas. Perhaps Anderson's name has significance also? Maybe Martha's maiden name? The daughter-in-law of one of Anderson's children notes that name was Anderson Filmore Akers.

The 1870 census also tells us that Silas 47, was a farmer who could vote, with $500 real estate and $2000 of personal estate. Martha was 43, born in Indiana. The Neosho County Deed Index shows a deed dated 27 July 1871 from Silas Akers and wife to M. C. Caninger, Vol. E., page 15, for the north half of the northwest quarter of section 30, township 27, range 19. This writer looked but could not locate this deed in Book E., page 15.

The Neosho Co., KS grantor/grantee index page 177 received from the Chanute Historical Society President Dee Fouch shows that this deed is found in Vol. H., p. 15. The index also shows that Silas bought land from B. F. Fitzgarland (possibly Fitzgerald), recorded Vol. J., p. 356 and sold land to Jacob J. Burghart, (Vol. U., p. 328.) Other land records for Silas and Martha Akers include one in Clay Co., IN., in 1871, when they gave power of attorney to his brother Benjamin Akers to sign a quit claim deed.

In the 1875 state census, Silas 57, and Martha 46, lived in Tioga Twp., Neosho Co., KS with four children: Abe 26, a miner, Anderson 19, a farmer, Elmer 15, and Catherine 22, a teacher. Silas had $1000 in real estate and $500 in personal Estate. All of the family came to Kansas from Illinois, as indicated by the census.

The 1875 state agricultural census gives us a picture of their life. Silas had 160 acres under fence. His farm was worth $1000 with $100 worth of farm implements and machinery and $100 paid in wages, including board, the past year. He had 480 rods of rail fence and 480 rods of hedge fence. In the spring of 1874 he planted 35 acres of corn. In 1875 he planted 1/4 acres Irish potatoes, 1 acres sorghum, and 10 acres castor beans. Did they make castor oil?

Silas and Martha have not been located in the 1880 census. Without children age ten and under in their household, they would not be included in the SOUNDEX. However, at least two weddings took place in the early 1880's when Anderson Akers married Matilda Cummings 14 Jan 1883, and Silas E. Akers married Mary E. Boerstler, 3 Sept., 1883.

One other Akers who appears in the 1880 Kansas census is George Akers, 27, in Montgomery Co., KS. He lives next to Lewis and Margaret Chance who moved to Kansas from Clay Co., IN. Lewis is the brother of Emanuel Chance, husband of Elizabeth Akers Chance. No connection has been made between this George and the Abraham Akers family, but perhaps he is a cousin. Census records show that he was born in IL., to a father born in KY, and a mother born in Indiana. Further information comes from the funeral home: George William Akers, West Coffeyville, Parker Twp., KS., died 22 Dec., 1935. Born Jacksonville, Morgan Co., IL., 23 Oct., 1851. Married Ida Ann Phillips 18 Mar., 1876. His father was George W. Akers, a farmer, and his mother was Julian Harmon.

George (1851-1935) is buried in Robbins Cemetery, Coffeyville, KS. With his wife Ida Ann Akers (1856-1926), and sons Charles S. Akers (1879-1952) and Perry W. Akers (1885-1962).

The 1885 state census for Anderson Akers gives his age as 29, born in Illinois, with wife M. 23, born in Iowa, and Reny 1 (female). Apparently Anderson's first child died at a young age because no other records were found for him or for Elmer's daughter Reny.

The 1885 state census shows that Silas was 62 and Martha 56. Their daughter, Elizabeth Betty Jackson 31, is listed in the 1885 census with her husband, Charles A. B. Jackson, and their son Clarence was 10, daughter E. M. age 8 and Lucy Hawkins 35, perhaps a servant. Silas Akers apparently died without a will. Samuel C. Nye (husband of Catherine Akers) and Elmer Akers were executors of Silas Akers estate when he died before 23 July 1890. The sale record lists items sold, the price paid, and the names of the buyers who were usually relatives and neighbors. One different name stands out. A. P. Ernhart bought a red heifer ad calf for $15.25. This was the son of Silas sister, Julie Akers Ernhart who lived in Clay Co., IN. Did Arthur (A. P.) come just for the sale or did he move to Kansas? The sale netted $2,369.34 which included a 4 percent discount on $372.90 paid cash ($14.91).

The 1895 agricultural schedule for Anderson F. Akers allows us to compare his life with that of his parents. Anderson was 38, M. J. 33, Alice M. 8, Fred 4, and Orlando D. 10 months. Anderson owned 180 acres, with 35 acres under cultivation, 80 acres fenced. He had 80 rods of hedge fence and 200 rods of wire fence. He valued his farm at $1600 with $50 worth of farm equipment. He planted 5 acres of winter wheat, 38 acres corn, 35 acres oats, 1/2 acres Irish potatoes. He had on hand 175 bushels of corn as of 1 Mar., 1895. He sold $30 worth of poultry and eggs, 100 lbs. Of butter. He had 3 horses, 6 milk cows, 9 other cattle, 14 swine, and $350 value of animals, fattened and slaughtered or sold, 50 apple and 6 pear trees of bearing age, and one dog.

A 1906 map of Neosho Co., Tioga Twp., southeast corner, shows A. F. Akers with 80 acres of land in section 26, north half of the southeast quarter. Silas Elmer Akers with 160 acres in section 25, south 1/2 of southeast and southwest quarters, and Catherine Kate or Kittie Akers Nye, in section 25, with 80 acres above her brother Silas in the southwest quarter. C. B. Jackson (probably the spouse of Elizabeth Betty or Bettie Akers, sister of Silas Elmer) is shown with 160 acres, the northwest quarter of section 36, just below Silas Elmer Akers.

Anderson died interstate. An appraisal of his property listed his assets as $650, held by Clover and Filson; 10 acres in Neosho Co., KS., S3T28R18 with $700 mortgage, 160 acres in Major Co., OK., clear. Anderson died 30 Oct., 1911 at Neosho Co. His heirs were Delaney Akers, son, aged 17 years, Neosho Co., KS, and three granddaughters in Wonoka (probably Wewoka, Seminole Co., OK) Lola Davison, 8, Goldie Davison, 6, Tabotha (sic) Davison, 4. Mimome Cummings was appointed administrator of the estate. She was probably a sister-in-law, probably the wife of H. W. Cummings with whom Anderson lived, according to the 1910 census.

William Hudson, son of Tabitha Bitha Davison Hudson, said that Tabitha's parents, Alice Akers and Thomas Davison were married in Galena, Ks., and homesteaded in Oklahoma. Alice died in 1909 and is buried in Neelins Grove in Macksville., KS. Thomas Davison remarried Neosho Co., cemetery records show the Akers family death dates as follows:

p.1. Anderson F. Akers 1855 - 1911 and John L. 9 Nov. 1883 - 15 Aug. 1885 -- Leanna Cemetery: located east of Chanute on highway K-39, 7 1/2 miles, north 3 1/2 miles on east side of road. Big Creek Twp.
p.184 Greenwood Cemetery east of Chanute on K-39, 3 miles, south 1 miles, west side. The cemetery corp. formed 4 Oct. 1879. All graves north of main road are in original cemetery. Information in this record was told to Bernice, Bertha and Pearl Akers by their mother, Mary Elizabeth Boerstler Akers and was copied in the record book by Bernice Akers:

Mary Elizabeth Akers 1862 - 1944
Silas Elmer Akers 1861 - 1948
Bernice Akers 1892 - 1964
Ralph W. Akers 1890 - 1918
Alice I. Akers 1881 - 1888
Charles W. Akers 1887 - 1944
Martha A. Akers 1828 - 1885
Silas Akers 1826 - 1890

p.185 Frederick, Ada Akers 1876 - 1959 (Ada Akers Frederick was the widow of Willard Charles Akers, a son of Silas and Mary E. Akers).
p.186 Memorial Park Cemetery, Fourteenth and South Kay. Lucina Akers, 1895 - 1956 (Lucina Akers was the wife of Orlando Delany Dee Akers, son of Anderson Filmore Akers).

Contributed by Margaret Van Ness Nelson, mvnelson@ix.netcom.com
[Silas was the brother of Elizabeth Akers Chance, who was the great-great grandmother of the contributor, Margaret Van Ness Nelson.]

Oscar C. BAIRD

Oscar C. Baird, M. D. Kansas is justly notable for the skill, learning and high character of the men who compose its medical fraternity and the profession here numbers among its members those whose scientific attainments are far beyond the ordinary. Among those well known during the past sixteen years is Dr. Oscar C. Baird, of Chanute, whose career is typical of modern advancement, his having been a broad field of medical service. Doctor Baird is a native of Van Buren County, Iowa, and was born December 29, 1871, his parents being Nathan and Lorinda (Jones) Baird.

Doctor Baird is of Scotch descent, his original American ancestor having emigrated from Scotland to America during the Colonial era and settled in Pennsylvania. In that state, in 1812, was born the Doctor's grandfather, Josiah Baird, who was a blacksmith by trade, migrated in young manhood to Noble County, Ohio, and later went to Iowa, where he became a pioneer of Van Buren County and there spent the remainder of his life at his trade. His death occurred in 1892, when he had reached the age of eighty years. Nathan Baird, father of Dr. Oscar C., was born in 1839, in Ohio, and was there reared to young manhood. He accompanied his parents on their western migration to Van Buren County, Iowa, and not long thereafter enlisted in the Iowa State Militia, with which he served as a soldier of the Union during the Civil war. When his military duties were completed, he returned to the duties of private life, and for many years was engaged in agricultural pursuits, in which he won success through perseverance and hard labor. His death occurred in Van Buren County, in 1908. Mr. Baird was a republican in politics. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, lived his faith every day, served as elder for many years, and was strict in his interpretation of the church's rules. While he was stern and unbending in his belief, he never asked others to do what he himself would not, and his probity and integrity did much to influence others to better lives. Mr. Baird married Miss Lorinda Jones, who was born in 1839, in Ohio, and who still survives in her seventy-first year and lives on the old home place in Van Buren County, Iowa. To this union there were born children as follows: J. F., who is a general merchant and prominent business man of Odell, Illinois; L. C., who is a farmer of Florida and resides at Bairdsville, a town which is named in his honor; Howard, who is carrying on agricultural pursuits in Van Buren County, Iowa; Seth, who is also a well-known farmer of that community; Dr. Oscar C., of this notice; Dr. J., a graduate of the State University of Iowa, degree of Bachelor of Arts, and of the Eclectic Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio, degree of Doctor of Medicine, and now a well-known medical practitioner of Coffeyville, Kansas; Flo, who is the wife of Harry Gleason, a prosperous jewelry merchant of Boston, Massachusetts; and J. N., a graduate of the State University of Iowa, degree of Bachelor of Arts, and of the law department of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, degree of Bachelor of Laws, and now a prominent practicing attorney of Kansas City, Missouri.

Oscar C. Baird received his public school education in Van Buren County, Iowa, and there grew up on his father's farm. Later he took his preparatory work at Keosauqau Academy, from which he was graduated in 1890, and attended the Nebraska State University. He next entered the Eclectic Medical Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, and completed a full course, graduating with his medical degree in 1896, since which time he has taken post-graduate courses at the Chicago Policlinic and the New York Polyclinic. Doctor Baird began his professional career at Medoa, Missouri, where he remained in practice for four years, and in 1900 came to Chanute, which has since been his field of practice. He has built up an excellent clientele as a general practitioner in medicine and surgery and has rapidly risen to a foremost place among Neosho County's men of medicine. His offices are at No. 16 South Lincoln Avenue, where he has an extensive and valuable medical library and all instruments and appliances for the handling of the most difficult cases and the most delicate operations. Doctor Baird belongs to the Neosho County Medical Society, the Kansas State Medical Society, the American Medical Association and the Southeastern Kansas Medical Society. He has been honored on frequent occasions by his fellow-practitioners, having been president of the State Eclectic Medical Society several times, treasurer thereof for a number of terms, and president of the Chanute Lecture Course Association, a post which he occupies now and has for several years past. He is a member of the Kansas State Board of Health and is now city health officer of Chanute. In the early part of 1914, Doctor Baird took a trip with 200 other physicians through France, Germany, Switzerland, England, Belgium and Holland, visiting Austria and all the various provinces of Germany. This was a most interesting trip, and the Doctor was in Europe when the great European war broke out, June 13, 1914. When the Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria and his wife, the Duchess of Hohenberg, were shot and instantly killed, Doctor Baird attended the funeral, as he did also the golden wedding ceremonies of the Emperor Francis Joseph. Doctor Baird is a republican, with progressive tendencies. He is the owner of his own home, at No. 201 Lincoln Avenue, a number of other dwellings at Chanute, and a business building at No. 14 South Lincoln Avenue. He is an active member of the Chanute Commercial Club, and is prominent in fraternal circles, belonging to Cedar Lodge No 103, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Cedar Chapter No. 21, Royal Arch Masons; Chanute Camp No. 63, Woodmen of the World; and Chanute Lodge No. 96, Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a citizen whose worth is widely recognized not only on account of the good he has done in professional lines, but also because of the active co-operation which he has given to public affairs. He keeps well informed in regard to the new ideas advanced by the medical fraternity, keeps in touch with the progress that characterizes the profession, and is today a most capable and skilled physician, his large patronage being an indication of the confidence reposed in him by his fellow-townsmen.

Doctor Baird was married in 1896 at Omaha, Nebraska, by Dr. Frank Crane, now of Chicago, to Miss May Wilson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Wilson, farming people who are now deceased. They have one child: Anna Opal, a sophomore at Northwestern University, who attended the Young Women's Christian Association conference at Geneva in 1916 as a delegate.

Source: A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans, written and compiled by William E. Connelley, Secretary of the Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, copyright 1918; transcribed 1998 by students from Baxter Springs Middle School, Baxter Springs, Kansas.

Orlin M. BALCH

Orlin M. Balch. The mercantile interests of the thriving and prosperous Town of Earleton, in Neosho County, are well represented by Orlin M. Balch, who has resided in this community all his life and is known to its citizens as a business man of ability and a citizen who has played his part in the town's development. Mr. Balch has other interests here, being president of the Earleton State Bank, and his record is one that is creditable both to himself and to his community.

Orlin M. Balch belongs to a family of Scotch-Irish origin, which was founded in America in colonial days, the original emigrant locating in Virginia. From the Old Dominion state the family migrated with the western tide of civilization to Illinois, and in that state, in Coles County, George Balch, the father of Orlin M., was born in 1832. He was reared and educated in his native community, but about the time of the outbreak of the Civil war went to Wisconsin, where he enlisted in the Third Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served nearly four years as a Union soldier. These four years were ones crowded with hard fighting, for the Third Wisconsin took part in some of the most important campaigns and battles of the great struggle, being, among others, at Shiloh, Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain and Chickamauga, and with Sherman on his great march to the sea. On one occasion Mr. Balch was wounded and taken prisoner by the enemy, but later his exchange was effected. At the close of his military service, or shortly thereafter, Mr. Balch came to Kansas, and in 1865 homesteaded 160 acres near the Town of Earleton, in Neosho County. The splendid record which he had made as a soldier was duplicated as a civilian and his agricultural labors, prosecuted industriously and managed ably, brought him into possession of a fine tract of land. He continued as a farmer up to the time of his death, in 1909, when he was the owner of 440 acres of land. Mr. Balch was always a republican, and while he did not seek office, took an active interest in the success of his party. He belonged to the United Brethren Church. Mr. Balch married Miss Sarah Stevens, who was born in 1845, near Paris, Indiana, and she still survives her husband and resides on the old home farm near Earleton. They became the parents of four children, as follows: G. T., who is connected with the Cudahy Refining Company and resides at Chanute; E. F., who resides with his mother and superintends the operations on the home farm; Orlin M., born at Earleton, November 4, 1877; and Mattie, who is the wife of A. L. Skinner, a merchant of San Diego, California.

During his boyhood Orlin M. Balch resided on the home farm, on which he worked during the summer months, while in the winter he attended the district schools near Earleton. Subsequently he enrolled as a student at the Chanute High School, from which he was graduated in 1893, and then went to the State Normal School at Emporia, where he completed the course of the junior year. He commenced his career as an educator, and for four years taught in the country schools of Neosho County, but his first business experience was with the Long Bell Lumber Company of Chanute, with which he remained four years. In 1910 Mr. Balch became a proprietor on his own account, when he purchased a store building on Neodesha Street, near the depot, at Earleton, and installed a stock of up-to-date merchandise. From small beginnings this has grown to good proportions, and four clerks are now necessary to handle the business, which comes from a radius of eight miles. The store building is 40x70 feet, has all modern accommodations and conveniences, and reflects the progressive spirit of its owner. The goods are well selected, attractively arranged and fairly priced, and have been purchased with an idea of meeting the demands of his trade. Mr. Balch is a business man with an excellent reputation for integrity and fair dealing, and his name connected with the Earleton State Bank, in the capacity of president, does much to inspire confidence in the solidity of that institution. He is the owner of a residence one-half block east of his store building on Neodesha Street and of a well-cultivated 80-acre farm; situated 2 1/2 miles east of Earleton. In politics he is a republican. He has always been ready to serve his city in public office, and has been a member of the township board of trustees and the board of school directors. Fraternally Mr. Balch is well known and has many friends among his fellow-members in Chanute Camp, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Chanute Lodge No. 806, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Earleton Camp No. 5070, Modern Woodmen of America; and Cedar Lodge No. 103, Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons.

In 1907, at Earleton, Mr. Balch was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie Foetisch, daughter of Charles and Mary (Potts) Foetisch, both of whom are deceased. Mr. Foetisch was a pioneer of 1869, when he homesteaded a tract of 160 acres in Neosho County. Mr. and Mrs. Balch have one child, Joe, born February 26, 1913.

Julia (AKERS) ERNHART

Julia Akers was born between 1819 and 1825 and married by 1845. In 1850, her family was husband Lorenzo Ernhart 24, born in Indiana, son Eli, 4, born in Indiana, and son Robert, 1, born in Indiana. By 1860 they also had three daughters - Sarah M., 9, Martha J., 7, and Mimi (?), 1. In this census their 11 year old son is named Arthur L. Akers (whereas in 1850 he was called Robert).

No marriage record for Julia has been located in Indiana or Ohio. Her married name was given in Clay County, Indiana documents - her father's will and the quit-claim deed when her mother, Catherine Akers, died.

Census records show that there was a Manuel Ernhart, born 1820 in Indiana, who lived in Brazil, Clay County, Indiana in 1850 and 1860, so he may have been Lorenzo's brother. It was probably their mother, Jane Ernhart, born in North Carolina, who lived with Manuel in 1850. Manuel's wife Mary was also born in North Carolina, 1823.

However, no Ernharts at all in the Indiana census appear in the index for 1830. If they were born and lived there by 1830, the census indexer must have missed them. In 1840, there is John Ernhart, Lawrence p. 352 and Peter Ernhart, Scott Co., p. 473.

Tracing the name to North Carolina, we find no Ernharts at all in the 1800 census although there are many Earonharts in Rowan County, including Henry Sr., and Jr. The 1810 North Carolina census index shows Henry Earnhart in Rowan County, p. 85, and Peter Ernhart in Cumberland County, p. 376. There are several Earnharts in North Carolina in 1820.

Clay County, Indiana marriage records show Martha A. Ernhart (perhaps a sister of Lorenzo) married George Mose, 22 February 1855, and Sarah M. Ernhart (daughter of Julia and L. D.) married Clark B. Thompson, 8 August 1867. Clark died before 1880 when his widow and children lived with her parents in Brazil Township, Clay County, Indiana. The 1880 census shows that L. D. Ernhart, 54, was born in Indiana to parents who were born in Ohio, Julia, 61, was born in Ohio to parents born in Indiana. Their son Eli, 34, was single and a coal miner. Daughter Sarah Thompson, 29, was a widow with children Austin, 12, Dan, 9, Mary, 7, and Rosa, 2.

In 1880, Arthur P. Ernhart, 30, lived next door to his parents with his wife Lois, 22, born in Indiana to a father born in Indiana and a mother born in Maryland, stepson Edward Stewart, 5, and daughter Mary, 1. the children were born in Indiana.

Sometime between 1880 and 1885, Julia, L. D. and their son Arthur, with families, moved to Neosho County, Kansas. Julia's brother Silas Akers had homesteaded there, as is described in another section of this paper. The 1885 Kansas State Census shows L. D. Ernhart, 59, Julia, 60, Eli, 39, with Dan Thompson, 14. It appears that their daughter Sarah Thompson stayed in Indiana with her other children, although no census search has yet been made for her.

In 1885, A. P., 36, and Lois Ernhart, 26, live next door to Julia and L. D. Ernhart. It appears that A. P. has adopted his step-son David, 9, who now goes by the surname Ernhart whereas their daughter Mary is now called Edith and is six years old. Alice Neill (Keill?), 25, born in Ohio, lives with them, having moved there from Illinois.

In 1890, A. P. Ernhart, who apparently went by the name Perry, bought a red heifer and calf for $15.25 at Silas Aker's estate sale in Neosho County, Kansas.

The 1895 Kansas Census shows A. P., 46, and Lois Ernhart, 36. Now the Ernhart children are listed as David Stuart 19, Edith Ernhart 16, and Grace Ernhart, 9, Grace being born in Kansas. Harry Thompson 24, born in Indiana, lives with them. The agricultural census shows E. P. (sic) Earnhart with 160 acres, 100 under cultivation, 160 acres under fence, fence 280 rods hedge, 280 rods wire, the value of farm including improvements $3000, the value of farming implements and machinery $75, acres sown or to be planted in spring 1895: flax 10 acres; brown corn 17 acres.

Apparently L. D. Ernahrt died before 1895, although no cemetery records have been located, because Julia, 76, lives with her son Eli Ernhart, 49. The Kansas 1895 agricultural census shows Julia Earnhart with 160 acres, 120 under cultivation, 160 acres under fence, 480 rods hedge, 102 rods wire, value of farm including improvements $3000, value of farming implements and machinery $75, acres sown or to be planted in spring 1895: corn, 20 acres; flax 15 acres.

In 1900, Manuel F. Ernahrt, 80, born 1819, in Indiana, lived in Washington Township, Putnam County, Indiana with wife Mary, 77, born May 1823 in North Carolina; son-in-law Robert McCurdy, 45, born March 1855, Pennsylvania; daughter Belle McCurdy, 39, born July 1860, in Indiana; and the McCurdy children, all born in Indiana - Samuel W., 16, Mary B., 14, Candasa, 11, Cora H., 6, and William G., 3.

Contributed by Margaret Van Ness Nelson, mvnelson@ix.netcom.com

Squire ROSA

The gentleman introducing this article represents the first settlers of Kansas and helonge to the list of Neosho county pioneers. He has been identified with the west since 1857 and the state of Kansas has numbered him among her citizenship since that year. He first settled at Osawatonnie, but took a claim in Linn county and was interested in it till 1869 when he moved to Allen county and entered a claim on Deer Creek where he lived five years, going thence to Neosho county where his residence has since been maintained.

Squire Resa was born in Oneda county, New York, January & 1836, of parents, Abraham and Emily (Morse) Rosa. The father was a blacksmith by trade and in 1854 moved to Town where he resided till 1860 when he came to Kansas and settled in Allen county. He became a settler of Neosho county in 1865 and the following year died here at the age of sixty years, his wife having preceded him three years at the age of forty-five. Two children comprised their family, viz., Friend, who died in Michigan, and Squire, our subject.

Squire Rosa had acquired only a fair knowledge of the common branches when, at the age of fourteen years, he assumed responsibility for his own maintenance, He came west to Michigan where he worked two years as a hired man on a farm. He went to Virginia then and in that state learned. the mason's trade and remained five years. Returning to Michigan, he was married June 24, 1856, to Levy Gay, a native of New York, and the next year the young couple came to the Territory of Kansas. On coming to Neosho county he entered his third piece of the public domain, which tract now joins the townsite of Galesburg. The first town located was Rose Hill, and was on his land, but later if was moved across the public highway and the name changed to Galesburg. Mr. Rosa engaged in business in the town when it was first started and has had some business connection with it ever since.

January 24, 1862, Mr. Rosa enlisted in Company F, Eighth Kansas infantry, served three years and was in many of the hardest fought buttles of the rebellion. He was in the battles of Chicamauga, Missionary Ridge, helped to raise the siege at Knoxville, was on the Atlanta campaign, where he was sixty-three days under fire, aided in the capture of Atlanta and in the subsequent defeat and destruction of Hood’s army. Mr. Rosa was discharged at Huntsville, Alabama, at the expiration of his service and returned at once to his Kansas home.

The ten years succeeding the war were the dark years for the settlers of the frontier, There were so many interferences to the successful cultivation of crops that flour became a luxury at $12 per barrel, pork 20c per pound, and corn coffee and corn bread were articles of diet that could be depended on to befriend the hopeful but poor pioneer. There were but three families near where Mr. Rosa located in Neosho county and his nearest neighbor was three miles, his next six miles, while on the north it was fifteen miles to a settlement.

As age crept upon Squire Rosa he has gradually retired from business. He has witnessed an almost indescribable change in Neosho county and his efforts have brought about a modest share of this radical change. Of his family of four children, only one, Argus P., now survives, and he is the enterprising real estate man of Galesburg, and the owner and publisher of the Galesburg Enterprise.

Argus P. Rosa was born in Muscatine, Iowa, whither his parents went from Michigan, and prior to their advent to Allen county, Kansas, on the 12th day of June, 1857. He has grown up and been educated in Neosho county and on coming of age engaged, with his father, in the buying and shipping of grain at Galesburg. He learned telegraphy and for eight years he was agent and operator for the M. K. & T. railroad at this point. Since then, and up to 1894, he has been farming and dealing in and shipping stock and grain. In 1894 he took up real estate and insurance, and induced many men of means to become interested in Neosho county and to become owners of real estate here. In 1900 he purchased the Galesburg Enterprise, a weekly paper that was established in 1885, by King & Schoonover, which is edited and published by his son Claire.

July 4, 1881, Mr. Rosa married Della Allen, an Illinois lady who came to Kansas in 1873, with her parents, Marion and Rachel Allen. The two sons before mentioned comprise the children of our subject’s household.

One incident in particular among the many which occurred in his life in the early days of Kansas, Mr. Rosa has indelibly impressed upon his mind, viz. In August, 1863, he accompanied his mother on a trip to Iowa to visit relatives and Grandfather Rosa hauled them in his wagon to Lawrence where they were to take the stage. They reached Lawrence the 20th of the month, stayed over night in the town and got away on the morning stage of the day Quantrell’s band came in and sacked the town.

Contributed 2024 Oct 06 by Norma Hass, transcribed from 1902 History of Neosho and Wilson Counties by Duncan L. Wallace, pages 147-149.

Farewell Party for MR. & MRS. J. H. RENSING

Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Rensing were honored by 111 of their neighbors and friends with a farewell party. Mr. and Mrs. Rensing, aged 78 and 63, respectively, are moving to 414 S. Malcolm in Chanute, after living for 32 years in the Rollin neighborhood.

Transcribed from Chanute Tribune, 13 Nov 1912, and contributed by Rensing512@aol.com
[Note: Magdelena would have been 60 not 63. She died in 1917, and John moved back to the farm to live with his son, Julius and family.]