Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 791 - 792

MAITLAND H. CHURCH, the second oldest living pioneer of Salem Township, owns a good farm of 230 acres, finely located on section 23. He has, by his enterprise and industry, built up one of the finest homesteads along the southern line of Sedgwick County, and on account of his sterling worth as a citizen, is held in high esteem by the people of that region. He came to Kansas at a time when it most needed men of his calibre to build it up, both socially and financially, and right well has he discharged the responsibilities which many men would have found an excuse to evade.

            The birthplace of our subject was in the Province of Ontario, Canada, and the date thereof May 31, 1847. He is the son of Daniel and Mary T. (Hawkins) Church, the former a native of New York State, and now deceased, passing away at his home in August, 1855. The mother was born in Cornwall, England, and crossed the Atlantic in her youthful days, locating with her parents in Stamford, Canada. Of her marriage with Daniel Church there were born five children, only three of whom are living, namely: Fanny A., the wife of E. L. McComb, of Derby, Kan.; Clinton D., of Wichita, and Maitland H., our subject. George and Charles D. died in infancy.

            Mr. Church was reared to manhood in the Dominion, receiving a fair English education. He started out in life for himself when a youth of sixteen years, and in the spring of 1867, when twenty years old, crossed the Mississippi, and traveled through Kansas and Colorado. In 1870 he preempted a quarter-section of land in Salem Township, which is now included in his present farm. Upon this not a furrow had been turned, and he endured the common lot of the pioneer settler, hardship, toil and privation, but in due time reaped his reward, as the fertile soil responded to his efforts at cultivation. He wisely invested a portion of his surplus capital in additional land, and for the last few years agriculture has been simply a pleasure and comfort. He has erected suitable buildings upon the land which he has chosen as his homestead, while a fine apple orchard and various other fruit and shade trees serve to embellish and add to the value of his property.

            The lady who has presided over the household of our subject, and bravely stood by his side in his toile and struggles, was in her girlhood Miss Emma A. Watt, and became his wife on the 25th of February, 1873. Mrs. Church is a native of the same Province in Canada as her husband, and was born Sept. 14, 1854. Her parents were Robert E. and Olive H. (Sayls) Watt, who were natives of Scotland and Canada respectively, and whose household included two children only, herself and her brother James E., now a prosperous farmer of Morton County, this State. Robert E. Watt, the father, died at his home in Canada, in August, 1858. The mother then married Watson Foulke, by whom were born six children -- Fanny, Lester, Myron, Amy Belle, Grace and Mirtie; the latter died in infancy.

            Our subject and his wife are the parents of seven children, of whom but six are living: Harry E. was born Feb. 28, 1874; Ethel F., Feb. 11, 1876; Lester H., Oct. 18, 1877; Josie E., April 27, 1879; Ralph L., July 12, 1882; and Charles D., Feb. 14, 1884. Florence M., who was born Jan. 6, 1886, died on the 23d of October, the same year.

            Our subject, politically, is an uncompromising Democrat, and has served as Clerk of his school district. He is a man of sound judgment, and one whose opinions are held in general respect.

            A lithographic view is shown of Mr. Church's residence.

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