Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Page 379  

JOSEPH WADSWORTH is a successful agriculturist and a pioneer of Sedgwick County, having, in 1871, taken up as a homestead claim the southeast quarter of section i4 of Union Township, where he has since resided. He was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., Oct. 1, 1829. His parents were John and Nancy (Walker) Wadsworth, both natives of Pennsylvania. The mother died in that State, leaving eleven children, of whom our subject is the oldest. The father was again married, and subsequently moved to Knox County, Ill. By this marriage he had two children. His death occurred in Galva, Ill., in 1862. 

            The subject of our sketch was reared on a farm, and also in early life assisted his father in his trade of fuller and carder. Subsequently he was engaged for some time in teaming on the pike between Monongahela and Cumberland. Afterward he was employed on the coal boats of the Ohio River. Tiring of that work, in 1854 he came as far west as Illinois, and located in Knox County, securing work at first as a farm laborer. The following year Mr. Wadsworth married Charity Foster, a native of Ohio, who came to Illinois when a young child with her parents. She was the daughter of Richard and Nancy Foster, pioneers of Knox County. After marriage our subject rented land and was engaged in agriculture, first in Knox County and later in Henry County. In 1861 he determined to take advantage of the fine opening for farmers in the fertile valleys and prairies of the young State of Kansas, that had just been admitted to the Union. Accordingly he started with his family for this "land Of milk and honey," but on reaching Mercer County in Illinois, he met an old man who had recently left Kansas. This man persuaded Mr. Wadsworth to stop in Keithsburg, and there he remained the following eight years, acting as foreman in a sawmill and warehouse. After that he resumed the journey begun so many years before, and came to Kansas, locating on his present homestead. He owns 160 acres of land, all of which he has under cultivation, and on which he has erected good dwellings and substantial farm buildings. Beside paying careful attention to the culture of his land Mr. Wadsworth raises many fine cattle and hogs. 

            Mr. and Mrs. Wadsworth have had seven children, of whom one died in Illinois and two have passed away since coming to Kansas. The four now living are Richard D., Walker, Mamie and Fayette, all of whom reside in this county. Mamie is the wife of William Andrews. 

            Among the citizens of this community Mr. and Mrs. Wadsworth are held in high esteem for their many social qualities and genuine worth. In politics Mr. Wadsworth is identified with the Democratic party. 

            A view of the Wadsworth homestead is presented in this volume as a representative country estate.

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