Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 506 - 507 

ROBERT L. CARNAHAN came to Kansas in the spring of 1876, and located on section 25, in Grant Township, upon 160 acres of land, partly broken, and from which he has since built up a homestead which is worthy of more than a passing notice in recording the growth and development of Sedgwick County. He not only brought his first purchase to a good state of cultivation but added to it, so that the farm comprises 240 acres, which yield the choicest products of Southern Kansas. It is finely stocked with high-grade Norman horses, Durham cattle and Poland-China swine, in the breeding of which Mr. C. has been uniformly successful, and exhibits some of the finest animals to be found in this part of the county. His farm in all its appointments indicates the thorough and progressive agriculturist, who has availed himself of the best and most approved methods of tilling the soil and carrying on the various other interests appertaining to the country homestead.

            Sedgwick County is peculiarly fortunate in having been settled up by a highly intelligent class of people, numbers of whom came from New York State and Ohio. In the latter our subject was born May 2, 1846, and spent his boyhood and youth near the place where he first opened his eyes to the light, and where his parents had settled soon after their marriage. His father, Elias Carnahan, was also a native of the Buckeye State, and married Miss Catherine Martin, who was born in Darke County, not far from the early home of her husband. The grandparents on both sides of the house were also natives of Ohio.

            Elias Carnahan continued in Ohio, where he carried on farming until he emigrated to Logan County, Ill., where among the pioneer settlers he built up a good homestead and remained until his death, which occurred in 1873, when he was nearly seventy-one years of age. The faithful wife and mother is still living at the old homestead in Logan County.

            The education of our subject was begun and completed in the district schools of Logan County, Ill., and there not far from the Carnahan homestead he commenced business for himself soon after reaching his majority. One of the most important events of his early life was his marriage, which took place at the home of the bride in Logan County, June 13, 1865, the maiden of his choice being Miss Minerva, daughter of Alfred and Agnes (Miller) Huff, of Logan County, Ill. Mrs. C. was the second in a family of five children and was born Aug. 10, 1846, in Indiana. Her parents were natives of Kentucky, and her father died in Indiana when she was quite a child. The mother is still living and is now a resident of Harvey County, this State. Her grandparents spent their last days in Indiana and Illinois, and died when she was quite young.

            Mr. and Mrs. Carnahan began life together in a modest way on a farm in Logan County, Ill., where they remained until coming to this State. Their union has been blessed by the birth of five children, the eldest of whom, a son, Alfred G., was born April 25, 1866, and is now with his parents; Jennie is the wife of Alvy Gilchrist, an enterprising young farmer of Grant Township, operating not far from the homestead of his father-in-law; William Oda and Rolla R. are pursuing their studies in the district school, and continue to make their home with their parents; Capa Z. died at the age of six weeks.

            Mr. Carnahan after the outbreak of the Rebellion enlisted in the three-months service at Lincoln, Ill., becoming a member of Company F, 145th Illinois Infantry, and was actively engaged on guard duty in Missouri most of the time during the 100 days for which he had enlisted. He received his honorable discharge on the 15th of December, 1864, together with a certificate of thanks given to the regiment and signed by President Lincoln. He is not particularly interested in political affairs, but is a supporter of Republican principles, in behalf of which he casts his vote at the general elections. He has assisted in organizing some of the school districts in his township, and is uniformly the friend of progress and education.

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