OSAGE COUNTY, Part 17

QUENEMO.

Quenemo is a little town with a population of about one hundred and fifty, pleasantly located in the wide valley of Marais des Cygnes River, in the southeastern part of the county. It contains but a few houses, yet a good business is done, and with prospects for a railroad, which has already been surveyed, its location is a favorable one for a prosperous town.

The town is the site of the Sac and Fox Indian Agency, and several white traders were there at an early day.

In 1862, about 4,000 Indians of the tribes of Chickasaws, Choctaws, Creeks, Cherokees, and Kickapoos, from the Indian Territory, who were driven out on account of their loyalty to the United States Government, located around the agency, which made trade exceedingly brisk for the few merchants located there. Among them was Perry Fuller. E. Olcott was bookkeeper, Gov. Anderson was gunsmith, H. Huggins was government blacksmith, E. B. Fenn was physician, N. S. Brian was superintendent of the boarding house, Mrs. Craig was the school teacher, and Rev. R. P. Duvall was the missionary.

In 1869, as soon as the reservation was opened for settlement, a large number of men located claims around the agency. Among those who opened stores were William Whistler, and John C. and Alexander Rankin, Rev. Jesse Wilkins located as pastor for the Methodist Church Society which organized at once.

In 1870, a town was laid out and named Quenemo, to which name the post office was then changed. With settlement fast pouring in, the town started with excellent prospects, and it was expected soon to become a city.

Preparations were soon made to build a railroad. Among the hard workers for this were Dr. Alfred Wiley, Warner Craig who was a merchant there, John C. Rankin, and William Whistler. Though a railroad was expected at once, the project fell through, and the town is still destitute of those advantages.

Though started with such bright prospects, misfortunes soon overtook the new town. William Whistler died, Rankin Bros. moved away, and Warner Craig failed in business. After this the town began to decline quite rapidly, though a few houses were left.

In August, 1878, a prairie fire swept over the town, destroying nearly all that remained. After this but little was done for some time, but for the past two years the village has been building up quite rapidly, and with its excellent location, prospects are good for its future prosperity.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ABRAM BECKER, farmer, Section 32, P. O. Quenemo, was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., April 8, 1818; son of Peter V. L. Becker and Helen Van Wee; was brought up on a farm; educated in the public schools. He lived in Indiana twenty years. Came to Kansas in 1866, settled in Quenemo, and engaged in farming. Enlisted in 1863 in Company D, One Hundred and Thirtieth Regiment Indiana Infantry; took part in the battles of Resaca and Atlanta, and was discharged in 1865. He was married in Otsego County, N. Y., September 23, 1841, to Miss Phoebe, daughter of Squire Briggs and Desire Weeks. They have had ten children - Anna, born July 4, 1845; Amanda, born January 8, 1847; Alfred, born September 19, 1848; died December 20, 1872; Henry, born August 5, 1850; Alex, born November 25, 1840-died December 18, 1848; Helen, born July 25, 1855; Martha, born September 8, 1857; Florence born December 10, 1859; Laura, born February 2, 1862; Alonzo, born March 25, 1853, died September 16, 1856. Mr. Becker is a member of the Methodist Church.

J. F. KIRKER, dealer in hardware, was born in Ripley, Ohio, February 5, 1853; son of Thomas S. and Mary L. Prindly Kirker. He was educated in the common schools and Russelville Academy, Ohio, and graduated from the State Normal School, Emporia, in 1875. He was always fond of books, and took great delight in them. In 1871 he came to the State, and settled in Quenemo on a farm. He engaged for ten years in school teaching, and was for seven years Principal of the public school in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas. He opened the first hardware store in the place, in 1882, carries about $3,000 stock, and has a good trade. He was married in Chase County, Kansas. February 5, 1878, to Miss Lida E., daughter of Aaron B. Moore, Esq., of Cincinnati, Ohio. They have one daughter, Luella M., born May 4, 1880. Mr. Kirker is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and an Odd Fellow.

N. A. KNOUF, farmer, Section 31, P. O. Lyndon, was born in Bedford County, Pa., April 19, 1824; son of Jacob Knouf and Margaret Kegg - children of Peter Knouf and John Kegg. Was brought up on a farm. In 1853 he moved to Iowa, and in May, 1868, he came to the State and settled in Agency Township, where he owns 217 acres, which he has improved. He was married in Bedford, Pa., April, 1847, to Miss Lydia Lafferty. They have five children living - Jacob, born August 11, 1848; William, born May 5, 1853; Wesley, born August 29, 1860; George, born April 15, 1862; and Mary, born August 3, 1866. Mr. Knouf is a member of the German Reformed Church.

G. W. LOGAN, farmer, Section 15, P. O. Quenemo, Kansas, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, May 1, 1831; son of James Logan and his wife Emma Collins. Was brought up on a farm in Cass County, Ill., where he lived until the year 1851, when he went to Sonora, in the State of Missouri. Returned to Illinois in 1852. Was married to Ann E. Keethley, December 27, 1852. Returned to Missouri. Came to Kansas in 1854. Settled in Greenwood Township in 1858. Removed to Quenemo in 1873. Raised ten children.

H. W. SMITH, painter, came to this State in 1870. He was born in Shenandoah County, Va. When ten years of age he moved to Pickaway County, Ohio. He resided there until coming to Kansas. He enlisted in the Mexican war in 1846, and was in the important battles of that war. He again enlisted August 6, 1862, in Company A, Forth-fifth Ohio. He was with his command at Stone River, Shiloh, Mission Ridge, Altoona, Resaca, Knoxville, Atlanta, Jonesboro and Franklin. He was mustered out in 1865 at Camp Harker.

BARCLAY.

This is a station on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, and is about six miles southwest from Osage City. The town contains about twenty houses and has a population of about one hundred.

In the center of a rich farming country, quite an extensive business is done, though it is all a local trade. It is also within the coal belt of the county, and when the mining interests of the locality becomes developed, it seems that Barclay is destined to become as prosperous a town as most others of the county.

The town is the center of a Quaker settlement; formed through the labors of John M. Wetherell, who was a member of the sect. After he had sold his large tract of land about Osage City, to T. J. Peter, he conceived the idea of forming a large settlement of his own people around Barclay. Quite a large number of them located, bought land, and began farming. Several of them became discouraged during the hard times and left the country, but those who remained have been very prosperous and are fast becoming wealthy.

Though at Barclay no coal mines have yet been opened, there are shafts on either side of the town, and it is only a question of a short time as to when this great interest will be developed here.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

GEORGE BARRINGTON, farmer, Section 7, P. O. Barclay, was born April 8, 1842, in Knox County, Ohio; son of Thomas Barrington and Elizabeth Alment. When fourteen years old he moved with his parents to Iowa, where he lived until 1873, when he came to Kansas and settled in Barclay Township on a farm containing 160 acres, which he has improyed (sic) with buildings, orchard, etc., etc. Mr. Barrington was drafted into the army, but furnished a substitute. He was united in marriage July 7, 1864; to Miss Sarah A., daughter of Robert Pearson and Mary Abbott of Cedar County, Iowa. They have five children: William, born September 22, 1865; John A., born November 9, 1857; Herbert D., born February 9, 1871; Mary E., born May 14, 1875; Eva, born July 10, 1880. Mr. Barrington is an active member of the Friends Society.

EDWARD H. BROWN, farmer, Section 17, P. O. Barclay, was born in Logan County, Ohio, April 10, 1835. Is a son of Horton H. Brown and Margaret Bates. He was brought up on a farm and educated in the common school and academy. His grandparents were Aaron Brown, Mary Howard, Edward Bates and Elizabeth Harrison. Mr. Brown engaged in school teaching for several terms. He enlisted August 4, 1862, in Company H, Ninety-sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the following engagements: Vicksburg, Sabine Cross Roads, Arkansas Post, Forts Morgan and Gaines and skirmishes and was discharged July 29, 1865. He has been twice married: in Jay County, Ind., September 7, 1867, to Mrs. Malinda Crispin, who died September 14, 1875; again in Logan County, Ohio, October 11, 1877, to Deborah W. Stanton. He has one child, Eva May, born November 9, 1872. Mr. Brown came to Kansas only a few years since, but in that time has shown much enterprise and public spirit in building up the town. He is a member of the Friends Church, and an active man in good works.

EDWARD S. CHASE, lumber merchant, was born in Addison County, Vt., August 5, 1845; is a son of George S. Chase and Lydia P. Staples. His grandfathers were Sisson Chase and Asa Staples. He was brought up on a farm and was educated in the common school. Enlisted September 13, 1864, in Company B, Second Regiment, Iowa Cavalry. Participated in the following engagements: Cupolo, Franklin, Nashville and numerous skirmishes, and was discharged September 30, 1865. He came to the State in 1878, settled in Barclay and opened a lumber-yard in 1880, and has enjoyed a good trade. Mr. Chase was married to Miss Mary E., daughter of O. Davidson, of Montgomery County, N. Y., in November, 1874. Is a member of Canby Post, G. A. R.

A. H. DOW, M. D., druggist, was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., October 16, 1810. Is a son of Stephen Dow and Olive McGonigal Dow. He was brought up in New York, where he received a common school education and commenced the study of medicine and graduated from the Geneva Medical College, class of 1841 and entered upon the practice of his profession in Penfield, N. Y. He came to this State in the spring of 1864, and settled in Ottawa and entered upon a successful practice. He opened the first drug store in that enterprising city. In 1883 he moved to Barclay and opened the first drug store in that place, which it is hoped may be as successful as that of Ottawa. He was married in Litchfield Herkimer County, N. Y., February 27, 1830, to Miss Abigail, daughter of John and Olive Bailey Ross. They have five children - Lavenda T., Carrie W., A. Chapin, E. R. Wright and Newton S. Mr. Dow is a Baptist and an Odd Fellow, a Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Kansas.

JAMES HIRST, farmer, Section 18, P. O. Barclay, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, in March, 1830. Is a son of Thomas and Ann Raley Hirst. His grandparents were David Hirst and Ann Smith, James Raley and Rachael Steer. He was brought up on a farm, receiving such education as the common schools and the Friends Seminary afforded. In 1855 he moved to Cedar County, Iowa, where he remained until 1871, when he came to this State and settled in Lyons County, and five years later settled in Barclay Township, where he owns a good farm. Mr. Hirst has been twice married. In Morgan County, Ohio, in August, 1854, to Miss Rachael, daughter of Abram Plummer. She died in 1855. He was again married in Cedar County, Iowa, March 18, 1858, to Anna M., daughter of Amos and Ann Maul Steer. He has six children - Elizabeth P., born September 12, 1855; Mary E., born May 16, 1859; Charles T., born September 4, 1861; Lewis T., born June 15, 1866; Clarisa D., born October 10, 1871, and Harriet J., born March 14, 1879. Mr. Hirst is a member of the Society of Friends.

ISAAC KINSEY, farmer, Section 8, P. O. Barclay, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, September 1, 1828. Is a son of James Kinsey and Ann Lloyd Kinsey. Mr. Kinsey was brought up on a farm and was educated in the common school, the high school and Friends boarding school. For several years he was a successful farmer in Johnson County, Iowa, and in October, 1877, he came to this State, stopping six weeks in Leavenworth and then moved to Franklin County, where he remained during the winter, and in March, 1878, settled in Barclay Township, where he has a good farm which he has improved from the raw prairie. Being a member of the Society of Friends he could not go to the war. Mr. Kinsey was united in marriage to Miss Kate, daughter of Anthony Fiegle, Esq., September 30, 1863, in Iowa City, Iowa. They have four children, viz: Georgiana, John M., Mary Ellen Alfred Lewis.

JOSEPH McCONNELL, farmer, Section 16, P. O. Barclay, was born in Miami County, Ohio, December 11, 1838; is a son of John and Elizabeth Anthony McConnell, who were the descendants from Joseph McConnell and John Anthony. He was brought up on a farm, and enlisted, in 1862, in Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment, Illinois Infantry. Was in the following engagements: Perryville, Woodsonville, Stone River, Missionary Ridge, Chickamauga, and was with Sherman in his march to the sea, and was discharged with the rank of Sergeant, July 8, 1865. He came to Kansas in 1873, and settled in Barclay Township. He owns a good farm, which he has improved. He was married, in Marshall County, Iowa, August 16, 1867, to Miss Keziah Hayworth, who died, April 25, 1880. He was again married, November 20, 1882, to Mrs. Emily F. Morgan, of Barclay. He has three children - Samantha, born October 30, 1870; David H., born February 21, 1872; Henry K., born June 25, 1879. His step-children are Lucia M. and Olney T. Morgan.

ELI PATTERSON, farmer, Section 25, P. O. Reading; born in Knox County, Ohio, July 4, 1842, son of William Patterson and Eliza J. Read. He was brought up on a farm, and received a good common school education. He came to the State in 1868, and settled in Barclay Township, where he owns a farm containing 400 acres, which he has improved. He keeps 50 head of cattle, 130 hogs, six horses, and employs one extra hand. He was married, in Edgar County, Illinois, August 20, 1868, to Miss Laura, daughter of David Nichols, Esq. They have two children - Ora, born July 17, 1869, and Lorenzo, born September 22, 1871. Mr. Patterson enlisted, February 14, 1865, in Company N, Fifty-fourth Regiment, Illinois Infantry, and was discharged October 25, 1865. He has made excellent improvements on his farm.

WILLIAM HOMER SEVERY, farmer, P. O. Reading, born in Sturgis, Michigan, May 20, 1859. Is a son of Luther Severy and Eveline Severy; was educated in the common school and the State Normal at Emporia. He came to this State with his father in 1871, and settled on the farm, and now has charge of his father's large farm, containing 5,000 acres, 1,000 of which is under the plow. There are employed about twenty-five hands on the farm. Mr. Severy deals largely in stock, keeps about 600 head of fat cattle. The farm house cost $6,000, and was erected in 1880; is a modern style of architecture. Mr. Severy was united in marriage, May 25, 1880, in Emporia, to Miss Anna B., Daughter of Edward W. and Anna M. Kinnan. They have one child, Ethel Maud, born July 24, 1882.

WESLEY L. SMITH, farmer, Section 1, P. O. Osage City, born in Franklin County, New York, July 1, 1837; son of Phineas L. Smith and Elizabeth Bush. He was brought up on a farm, and was educated in the common school. He came to this State in 1872, and settled in Barclay Township, where he owns 560 acres, improved. He makes stock a special feature of his farming; employs six hands; keeps 800 head of cattle, and 250 hogs. When he came to the farm he found it raw land, but under his skillful management it has become a splendid farm. Mr. Smith was married, in Clayton County, Iowa, December 27, 1864, to Miss Celia C. Sawyer. Mr. Smith is a member and Master of Signal Lodge, No. 141, A., F. and A. M.

I. K. WILSON & CO., merchants and stockmen. The subject of this sketch, I. Kinsey Wilson, was born in Springdale, Cedar Co., Iowa, September 25, 1858, and is the oldest son of James K. Wilson and Mary J. Walton, who descended on his father's side from William Wilson, who was born in Kent County, Del., in the year 1789, and died in Washington County, Pa., July 15, 1795, at the age of fifty-six years. His wife's name was Elizabeth; nothing farther is known of her. Jonathan Wilson, son of William and Elizabeth Wilson, was born September 13, 1770, and died of kidney inflammation in 1831. Hannah Wilson, his wife, daughter of Thomas and Rachel Smith (whose maiden names was Russell) was born September 27, 1772, and died in 1843, of cholera morbus. Their children's names were Rachel (John Hill's wife) born September 27, 1797; Elizabeth (Sidwell), born April 25, 1801; Ann (Brown), born March 14, 1805; Israel, born February 16, 1807, died in 1836; Jonathan (grandfather of I. K. Wilson), was born July 5, 1818, died April 1, 1881, of heart disease; Mercy Kinsey (wife of John), died of consumption, February 27, 1848, aged thirty-three years and eleven months. John and Mercy Wilson's children were James K. (father of I. K.), born Mary 17, 1835; Israel P., born April 12, 1837; Jane, born February 10, 1839, died April 5, 1851; Mary Ann, born December 16, 1844, died November 25, 1849; John L., born January 31, 1843; Lemuel, born May 24, 1845. I. K. Wilson on his mother's side was descended from Isaac K. Borton, born September 12, 1737, and Mary his wife, born June 17, 1740. Their son, Jacob Borton, was the grandfather of Mrs. Wilson, mother of I. K. Her father, James Walton, who descended from one of four brothers who came to Philadelphia with William Penn in 1682; and Hannah, his wife was born November 3, 1800, and died October 26, 1869. He married Hannah K. Borton, April 2, 1822; she died May 29, 1857. Their children were: Hannah, born August 1, 1824, died April 4, 1836; Elwood, born June 30, 1827, died September 10, 1855; William Fawcett, born July 29, 1830, died March 16, 1836; Mary Jamima, born February 7, 1838, I. K. Has four brothers and one sister - William Fawcett, born July 22, 1862; Edward Everet, born December 26, 1864; Allen James, born March 6, 1873; Harry L., born March 3, 1875; Ella Pearl, born July 27, 1880. I. K. Wilson was educated at the Springdale Seminary, and Burlington Business College, Iowa. He traveled in Europe a year to learn the languages. Taught school. He came to Barclay, Kan., in May, 1878, where his father opened up a large farm. In 1882 established business with the firm of I. K. Wilson & Co., in a general variety store; carries a large stock of merchandise; buys and sells grain and all kinds of produce, coal, etc., and keeps stock on an extensive scale. Is postmaster at Barclay Kan., and a Friend.