OSAGE COUNTY, Part 9

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES (RAMBO - WYATT).

MARMADUKE RAMBO, came to Kansas May 5, 1856, pre-empted 160 acres of land in the Dragoon Bottom, three miles south of Burlingame. He was born in Mercer County, Pa., November 15, 1805, and resided there until coming to Kansas. Judge Rambo is of Swiss ancestry, who settled on the Schuylkill River fifteen miles above Philadelphia as early as 1620. His grandfather, Peter Rambo, who was in the Revolutionary War under Washington, lived on the Loyalhonna River, moved to Westmoreland County, Pa., and to Mercer County in 1802, with his family, six sons and four daughters - John, (his father) Thomas, Peter, James, William, David, Nancy, Polly, Sally and Betsey; all married and now deceased. Judge Rambo learned the carpenters' trade before he was twenty-one years of age, and worked on the Pittsburg and Lake Erie Canal four years. He has been married four times; first in Erie County Pa., January 15, 1828, to Miss Matilda Brotherton, and had nine children as follows: Nancy, Robert, John, Matilda, David, Eliza, Belle, Samuel and William, all living in Kansas at present. His first wife died January 20, 1854; he was married again November 13, 1855 in Lawrence County, Pa., to Miss Matilda Cotton, who died November 14, 1856. Married again July 17, 1870, to Miss Fannie Wood, of Wooster, Mass., who died April 28, 1871. He was married to his present wife Mrs. Hannah Rolph, March 11, 1873. Remained on his farm until 1862, when he moved into town, and has since worked at his trade. In the summer of 1856, Judge Rambo was elected Captain of a Military Company, to protect the town and obtain communication with Lawrence, where many of the families of the early settlers then were; he was elected Probate Judge in 1856. Two of his sons, John and Samuel, enlisted and served in Company I, Eleventh Kansas Infantry. During the drouth of 1860, Judge Rambo was a member of the Relief Committee of the county. He always has been active in the Anti-slavery and Temperance causes. He was one of the organizers of the county in 1857. He has now passed his seventy-seventh anniversary.

JOHN E. RASTALL, editor and publisher of the Chronicle, was born July 23, 1840. He removed to Kansas in 1856, and took part in the early political troubles of the territory. He enlisted at Topeka, in a Military Company, formed for the protection of Free-State settlers. In the fall of the same year he was taken prison by United States troops, and taken to Lecompton; but soon escaped. He then returned to the East and studied law. In the spring of 1861; he entered the Union army as a private, in Company B, Fifth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He served for seven months, when he was made Adjutant of the First Regiment, Maryland Volunteer Infantry. After serving three years he was discharged. Afterward he returned to Kansas and edited the Junction City Union for over one year. He purchased the Chronicle October 1, 1877, and has since controlled it. In the fall of 1880 he was elected to the lower house of the Kansas Legislature, where he made an honorable record.

J. K. ROGERS, farmer, Section 13, P. O. Burlingame, was born in Lorain County, Ohio, March 4, 1838; son of Comfort Rogers and Ann (Cone) Rogers, where he grew up on a farm and received a common school education and engaged in farming. He came to Kansas in 1874, and settled in Burlingame Township, where he owns a quarter Section of choice land, under a fine state of cultivation. He has fourteen horses, 106 head of cattle and 200 hogs. Mr. Rogers was married in Tama County, Iowa, September 14, 1865, to Miss Margaret J., daughter of Daniel Carpenter and Caroline Young. They have five children - Nettie M., born December 14, 1866; Mildred, born October 2, 1870; Albro P., born April 18, 1873; Jessie E., born December 10, 1879; and Helen E., born November 24, 1882. Mr. Rogers is a member of Corinthian Lodge No. 96, A., F. & A. M.

DANIEL C. ROMINE, farmer, Section 6, P. O. Burlingame, was born in Fountain County, Ind., May 20, 1844; son of Jessie Romine, and Matilda Clark. Educated at Warren Acadeny (sic). Enlisted in 1862, in Company F, Seventy-second Indiana Mounted Infantry, and was in the following engagements: Chickamauga, Peak's Shanty, Ga., Rock Springs, Hoover's Gap, and numerous skirmishes, and was discharged at the close of the war, 1865, having served faithfully three years. He came to the State in 1879, and settled in Burlingame Township, where he owns a quarter section of improved land. Mr. Romine was married in Vermillion County, Ill., January 1, 1871, to Miss Mary A., daughter of John Ross and Hannah Furguson. They have four children - Elmira A., born October 4, 1871; Jesse, born March 11, 1874; John R., born March 22, 1877; Adelbert, born December 25, 1879. Mr. Romine is a member of C. P. Sheldon Post, No. 79, G. A. R.

EZRA G. RUSSELL, attorney-at-law, came to Kansas in 1855, and was admitted to the bar in Burlingame, in 1872 and has been in active practice since 1875. He was born in Mercer County, Pa., January 1, 1847, and when eight years of age came to Kansas with his parents. His father, Thomas Russell, was a hardy pioneer of abolition ideas and heartily espoused the cause of popular liberty and assisted in bringing many a border ruffian to justice. His house was always a haven of a refreshment and rest for Osawatomie Brown, Generals Lane, Leonhardt and others. Mr. Russell senior was appointed Deputy Provost Marshal, but died December 22, 1862, before assuming his duties. Erza is a descendant of the English stock of Lord John Russell, and is a product of Kansas views and liberal ideas; in a word, a self-made man. He was married in 1870, at Burlingame, Kansas, to Miss Sarah Luella Russell, daughter of Col. John Russell who, during the war was Colonel of the Forty-fourth Illinois, and is at present member of the legislature from Wichita. The result of the marriage was two daughters - Maude L. and Nellie Gertrude. Mrs. Russell died March 4, 1876. He was again married November 25, 1881, at Paola, Kansas, to Miss Cynthia A. Wycoff, daughter of Professor S. B. Wycoff, Professor of mathematics in the Gem City College, Quincy, Ill. He enlisted August 1, 1863, in Company I, Eleventh Kansas Cavalry, and was with his command at Lexington, Independence, the Blues, Westport and Mound City in engagements against Price, and was also in several sharp engagements with Quantrell and other Rebel guerillas. He was also on the plains at Red Buttes, Plate Bridge and Reshaw Creek, Dakota Territory. He was one of the fourteen who escaped from 3,000 Cheyennes and Sioux at the massacre at Platte Bridge in July, 1865, where thirty-five Union soldiers were tortured and their bodies burned by the murderous red devils. Mr. Russell was mustered out in September, 1865. He brought home with him a horse presented to him by the officers for making a lucky shot with a revolver, killing a bushwhacker at a distance of over 500 yards. Mr. Russell once united with the Methodist Church on six months' probation; but to use his own language: "I did so well they let me off after three months." To say that he has succeeded in his profession would but express the sentiments of his fellow citizens. Mr. Russell is a member of Sheldon Post G. A. R., and a staunch Republican and a Liberal.

H. A. SCHAFER, billiard hall and dealer in ice, came to Kansas September 6, 1869, locating at Carbondale, remained there until December 1 of the same year and removed to Burlingame. In 1877 he built a hotel opposite the depot which is known as Shafer's place. He was born in Lehigh County, Pa., April 13, 1845, when five years of age his parents removed to Easton, and after three years residence removed to Freemansburg where he remained until the war. He enlisted December 12, 1861, in Company H, Fifty-fourth Pennsylvania, and was with his command in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, and at the battles of New Market, Cedar Creek, Piedmont, Staunton, and Lynchburg, where he was captured June 19, 1863, and held a prisoner until the close of the war, ten months of the time being at Andersonville. He was married in 1867, at Pennhaven, Pennsylvania, to Miss Lana Smith, a native of Hazelton, Carbon Co., Pa., and has seven children - Stella, Minnie, John, William, Frank, Emma and Dora. He is First Lieutenant of Burlingame Guards.

HENRY C. SCOTT, farmer, Section, P. O. Burlingame. Our subject was born in Bradford County, Pa., April 17, 1831, and is the son of Asahel Scott and Melinda (Sherman) Scott. He grew up on a farm. In 1861 he enlisted in Company E, Twenty-Third Regiment New York Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the following engagements: - Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam and numerous skirmishes. His rank was that of Corporal and he was discharged in June, 1863. He came to this State in 1870, and settled in Burlingame, and engaged in carpenter work until recently, when he came to the farm. He was united in marriage in Smithfield, Pa., November 11, 1863, to Miss Olive A. Niles, who died in Burlingame, July, 1870. He was again married in Wayne County, N. Y., September 12, 1882, to Miss Nellie S. daughter of George T. Russell. He had three children by his first wife - Clinton S., born January 23, 1865; Earnest F., born December 1, 1866; and Willard W., born October, 20, 1868, died in July, 1872. Mr. Scott is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge.

CHARLES M. SHELDON, proprietor of the Sheldon Land Agency, was born at this place December 22, 1862. In 1880 he attended the State University at Lawrence. This is the oldest land office in the county and was established in 1868 by Hon. O. H. Sheldon, deceased, father of Charles M., and was first called the S. W. Land Agency.

HON. H. D. SHEPARD, merchant. Also deals in agricultural implements, grain and hay, and is also interested in mining. Does the largest business of any dealer in the county. In the Burlingame store carries a stock of $20,000, and the sales will reach the enormous sum of $150,000. Also has a store in Eskridge, which carries a stock of $10,000. The hay trade will average $50,000 annually, and in 1881 shipped 495 cars of bailed hay from Burlingame and vicinity. Mr. Shepard is also interested in grain and cattle to some extent. He came to Kansas in 1858 and located at Wilmington. Continued in business there in a limited way until 1868, when he came to Burlingame. Was born in Middlesex County, Conn. May 1, 1838. Was married in 1865, at Burlingame, to Miss Daphne S. Dutton, a native of Vermont, and daughter of Father Dutton, a pioneer of Osage County, and has three children - Nellie, Alice and Emma. In 1865 Mr. Shepard was elected to a seat in the popular branch of the Legislature from Wabaunsee County, and re-elected the following year. Was a member of the Board of County Commissioners and Chairman a portion of the time. Was elected Mayor of Burlingame three terms. Served in the Osage County battalion during the threatened Price invasion of the State. Mr. Shepard is a man of enterprise and means, and has not only built up a large and growing business, but has displayed as much public spirit, and contributed as much toward the building up of his adopted city and county, as any man within its borders. His residence is one of the finest in the county. Is a member of A., F. & A. M. Order, and has stock in the Burlingame Union Agricultural Society.

WILLIAM SHOECRAFT, farmer, Section 18, P. O. Carbondale, was born in Boyleston, Oswego Co., N. Y., October 27, 1834. His father and mother were Joseph and Lanah (Calkins) Shoecraft. The ancestors of William Shoecraft were German on the father's side, English on the mother's. Peter Shoecraft, who came to America from Germany, married an English lady. They had two sons, John and Jacob. Jacob, the younger, married Caroline Shammon, and from this marriage there were six children - two sons and four daughters. Joseph Shoecraft, the elder of these two sons, married Lanah Calkins, December 1, 1811, in Schuyler, Herkimer Co., N. Y. William Shoecraft was educated in the common schools of his native town. He came to Kansas in 1872 and settled in Burlingame Township, where he owns a farm of 160 acres, which is well improved. He was married in Oswego County, N. Y., December 27, 1853, to Miss Susan, daughter of Charles Webb, Esq. They have six children - Lenah M., Hattie L., William H., Ella G., Evalena J. and Henrietta L. Mr. and Mrs. Shoecraft are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It appears that Peter Shoecraft, the person above named as coming from Germany, is the progenitor of all those who bear the name of Shoecraft in America. There was a rumor that a person of this name and not of the same family, was killed in the Revolutionary War. Be this as it may, Peter Shoecraft is, so far as can be ascertained, the only person of his name who came from Germany to America, and from him all the above family are descended.

JOHN SMITH, farmer, Section 18, P. O. Burlingame, was born in Tioga County, Pa., July 31, 1819. Son of John Smith and Amy Thornton. Soon after his birth his father moved to Spring Mills, Allegany (sic) Co., N. Y., where Mr. Smith grew to manhood, receiving such education as the common schools afforded. In that new country, with saw and ax, he began to carve out the future of his life work. After having lived for a time in Mercer County, Pa., he came to Kansas in 1855 and settled in Burlingame Township, where he pre-empted a home on the lonely prairie, and endured unusual hardships. The first winter the snow was two feet deep, the weather extremely cold and his shanty poor. He would have had a hard time even had he been well, and his wife had to cut and carry the wood, and thus do her own work and that of a man's. His team died and he was left destitute, but it was not always to be so. He now rejoices in the possession of a comfortable home and the privileges of civilization. He was united in marriage in Venango County, Pa., July 7, 1846, to Miss Eliza, daughter of Robert Graham, Esq., and Margaret Gordon Graham. They have had six children, William H., Robert, Ezra, Mary, Frank and Lizzie J. Robert and Ezra are dead. Mr. Smith has been Justice of the Peace for ten years. He is a member of the Methodist Church.

HIRAM O. SMITH, farmer, Section 10, P. O. Carbondale. Born in Clarindon, Vermont, July 21, 1850. Son of Nathan J. Smith and Eliza Ann Button. He received a good education and taught school several years. Came to Kansas in 1873. Settled in Bulingame (sic) Township. He owns 240 acres, improved, good orchard and buildings. Mr. Smith was married in Topeka, Kansas, April 6, 1875, to Miss Maggie J., daughter of William Stewart and Isabella Shields. They have three children, Olive May, Charles E. and Willie J. Mr. Smith is Secretary of Osage County Horticultural Society.

EDWARD SPAULDING, of the firm of E. Spaulding & Son, dealers in groceries, books, stationery, crockery, jewelry and fancy goods. Carry a stock of about $12,000. In 1881, trade reached $30,000. This firm carries the largest stock in their line to be found in Osage County. Mr. Spaulding came to Kansas in 1869 from Williamsport, Pa. Was born in Bradford County, Pa., February 1, 1828. Resided there until 1865, with the exception of two years in Wisconsin and two in California. In 1865, went into the dry goods business in Troy, Pa., which he continued there and at Canton, until 1860; removed to Williamsport and had charge of a grocery until coming to Kansas. Went to Wisconsin in 1848, locating near Janesville on a farm, remaining three years, and moved back to Pennsylvania. In 1852, went to California and engaged in mining two years at Georgetown. Was married in Bradford County, Pa., in 1850, to Miss Amanda E. Ballard, and has four boys - Lucian R., Orrin P., Edward P. and Amos O. Mr. Spaulding was elected County Clerk of Osage County in 1875, and held the office three full terms as a Republican. The store building is of stone with brick front, 25x100 feet, finished in the spring of 1881 at a cost of $3,500. Mr. Spaulding owns $500 stock in Union Hall. Is a member of A., F. and A. M.

CHARLES H. TAYLOR, of the firm of C. F. Adams & Co., real estate dealers, came to Kansas in 1867 from Connecticut, and has been in present business since 1878. Was born in South Glastonbury, Hartford County, Conn., March 23, 1843. Remained there engaged in farming and steamboating on the Connecticut River until 1862, when he enlisted in Company F, Fifteenth Connecticut. Was twice wounded, but not seriously. Was mustered out in July, 1865. On his return from the army worked one year in a coffee-mill factory and farmed until coming West. Was married in 1866 at Glastonbury, Conn., to Miss Ellen M. Walker, and has four children - Jennie O., Charles G., Frank E. and Harvey S. Has been Police Judge of Burlingame for one term and Township Clerk for eight years. Is a member of I. O. O. F. and Encampment, and G. A. R.

OSCAR THOMPSON, farmer, came to Kansas in 1871 and located four miles west of Burlingame, from Bartholomew County, Ind. He was born in that county, January 30, 1843. Entered the mercantile business in Waynesville, Ind., in 1863, and followed that about a year, and afterward followed farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of the stock. He enlisted in the army in September, 1861, in Company E, Twenty-second Indiana Infantry. Was with his command in Missouri against Price. Was sent home in January, 1862, being sick from exposure while in the service. His Company was organized in July, 1861, and he joined September 10, although never enrolled or sworn in. Served until January, 1862. He has been twice married, first in the spring of 1863, to Miss Mahala Keller, and had one child, Mahala. Mrs. Thompson died in September, 1864, at her Indiana home. He was married again in 1868 to Miss S. M. Stites, and has six children - Edward E., Susan H., Laura E., Archie W., Clara and Charles S. His second wife died November, 1881. He is a member of the A., F. & A. M., and H. P. of R. A. M.

WILLIAM THOMSON, attorney-at-law and notary public, office in bank building, Burlingame, came to this State in the month of April, 1870. He was appointed to fill the vacancy in the office of Probate Judge by Gov. Harvey during the same year. In 1872 he was elected by a large majority county Attorney, and served in that capacity for two years, laid the foundation, by his vigorous prosecutions, for his after acquired large and successful legal practice. Mr. Thomson is of Scottish origin, having been born in historic Linlithgow, Scotland, February 24, 1845. When five years of age his parents moved to Chicago, Ill., where his father, Thomas Thomson, soon bought out the oldest established cracker factory in that city, and controlled it until his death on February 22, 1863. Mr. Thomson graduated from the Chicago University in the class of 1867, receiving at that time his degree of Bachelor of Arts, and in the fall of that year became the Principal of the schools at Toulon, the county-seat of Stark County, Ill., where he continued for one year. The next year he taught at Astoria, in Fulton County, Ill. During this time he was also privately engaged in legal studies, and in the summer of 1869 entered the office of Moore & Caulfield, distinguished lawyers of Chicago, and also attended the law school there, and was admitted to the bar of Illinois in October of that year. He was married March 26, 1874, near Burlington, in Coffey County, Kansas, to Miss Sarah E. Hudwall, of Astoria, Fulton County, Ill., and has one daughter, Maud Somerville. He enlisted in May, 1864, in Company D, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Illinois Infantry. The operations of the command to which he belonged were directed against Price in Kentucky and Missouri. He was mustered out in November, 1864. Mr. Thomson, besides being successful as a lawyer, has attained prominence in State politics, having been Secretary of the Republican-State Central Committee in 1879 and 1880; Chairman of Third Congressional District Convention in 1878, and as a candidate for Attorney General before the Republican State Convention in 1880, received a highly complimentary vote. He was a delegate to the National Republican Convention of 1880, voting therein for the nomination of the lamented Gen. Garfield. He is a member of Corinthian Lodge No. 79, A., F. & A. M., and Burlingame Lodge, No. 14, I. O. O. F.

WILLIAM VANDERLIP, farmer, P. O. Carbondale, Section 10, born in Chemung County, N. Y., October 13, 1825; son of Stephen Vanderlip and Nancy Delano, where he lived until 1860, when he came to the State and settled in Shawnee County, and a year after purchased a farm in Burlingame, containing 160 acres, which he has improved and now has under the plow. He enlisted, September 1, 1862, in Company I, Second Regiment, Kansas Cavalry, and served until the close of the war, participating in all the engagements in which the regiment was called. Discharged, November 15, 1865. He was married in Bradford County, Pa., December 1, 1854, to Miss Mary J., daughter of Samuel Thomas, Esq. They have seven children - John P., Charles, William, Edward, Martha, Lizzie and Josephine.

JAMES E. VAWTER, farmer, Section 7, P. O. Carbondale, born in Todd County, Ky., February 21, 1847, son of Joseph D. Vawter and Sarah M. Foster. He came to this State in 1868. Settled in Shawnee County, but now resides in Burlingame Township, on 320 acres of improved land. He was married in Tazewell County, Ill., February 17, 1874, to Miss Mary Huxtable. They have one child - Sarah E.

HORATIO H. WARNER, farmer, Section 16, P. O. Burlingame, was born in Otsego County, N. Y., November 2, 1823, son of Zachariah Warner and Laura Hall. He was brought up in his native town on a farm, and was educated in the common schools. He came to Kansas in 1857, and settled in Douglas County, and three years later came to Burlingame Township, where he has since resided on a small farm. He was united in marriage in Steuben County, N. Y., December 31, 1855, to Miss Jane Northrup, by whom he has had four children, three of whom are living. Mr. Warner is a member of the Methodist Church.

JOHN S. WELTS, farmer, Section 2, P. O. Burlingame, was born in Corning, N. Y., December 2, 1847; son of Phillip J. Welts and Delilah Smith. He received a good common school education and learned the carpenters' trade in Corning and followed that business for several years. He came to this State in 1878; settled in Burlingame Township, where he owns 160 acres, improved. He was united in marriage in Olean, N. Y., November 18, 1868, to Miss Jennie, daughter of P. J. Velie, and Betsey Wilber. They have four children - William P., born March 24, 1870; Charles J., born June 19, 1872; Eugene S. Born November 13, 1874; and Frank A., born January 12, 1881. Mr. Welts is a member of the Corinthian Lodge, No. 79, A., F. & A. M.

DR. H. R. WILCOX, homoeopathic physician, came to Kansas in 1875, from Michigan. Was born in Orleans County, N. Y., May 5, 1833. When three years of age his parents moved to Ingham County, Mich. Resided there about twenty-five years, engaged in farming. Commenced reading medicine there with Dr. Smith and practiced some. In 1861 removed to Gratiot County, where he resided until coming to Kansas. Attended medical lectures at Ann Arbor, Mich. Was married in 1855, in Jackson, Mich., to Miss Sobrina Muscat, a native of Ohio, and has six children living - Fulton E., Merritt M., Sobrino E., Mary E., Catharine M. and Susie. Is a member of A., F. & A. M., K. of H., and the Baptist Church. Is a member of the Relief Association of National Temperance Union. In the fall of 1883 removed to Wakeeny, Trego Co., Kan.

JACKSON WOOD, farmer, Section 18, P. O. Burlingame, was born in Bradford County, Pa., February 21, 1834; son of Moses Wood and Peggie Newell, who was a son of Samuel Wood and Anna Califf, who was a descendent from William Wood, who came from England in 1582. The subject of our sketch belongs to the sixth generation from John Wood. Previous to coming to this State he was engaged in farming and fruit raising for thirteen years in Cook County, Ill. He came to this State in 1870 and settled in Burlingame Township, where he owns a quarter section of excellent land. He makes dairying a specialty; having thirty milch cows. Mr. Wood was married in Smithfield, Pa., September 25, 1856, to Miss Mary E., daughter of Willard Farnsworth and Lucinda Swain. They have four children - Addie E., born July 5, 1858; William L., born February 21, 1860; Clayton G., born March 24, 1854; and Flora M., born September 10, 1872. Mr. Wood is a member and deacon of the Christian Church in Burlingame.

LITTLEBERRY M. WYATT, farmer, Section 20, P. O. Burlingame, was born in Fleming County, Ky., March 22, 1814, son of Colonel Woolford Wyatt and Margaret McCollough. His grandfathers were Micajah Wyatt and William McCollough, who came from Ireland in the ship "Hopewell," and his grandmothers were Lina Wing and Mollie Sickfret; so he is of English, Irish and German extraction. Mr. Wyatt was a soldier in the Black Hawk war of 1832, in Captain Covel's Mounted Rifle Rangers. He came to Kansas in 1859 and settled in Burlingame Township. He owns 160 acres improved. He was married in McLean County, Ill., November 3, 1846, to Miss Emeline, daughter of Robert Dolahan and Sarah Beeler. They have five children - Woolford, born August 24, 1847; Franklin, born February 4, 1849; Joan, born December 21, 1850; Joshua, born June 30, 1853; and Charles E., born January 3, 1861.