REPUBLIC COUNTY, Part 3

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES (ARBUTHNOT - DUNCAN).

C. M. ARBUTHNOT, M. D., physician and surgeon, was born in Allegheny County, Pa., 1852. Soon after his parents emigrated to Iowa, where they remained until 1871, coming from there to Kansas and locating in Republic County, his father, J. G. Arbuthnot, being among the early settlers of Farmington Township. Young Arbuthnot remained at home helping his father on the farm and teaching in the district schools until 1875; then attended the State Normal School at Leavenworth, and then taught two years in the southern part of the State. During this time had been devoting all his spare moments to reading medicine, and in 1878 went to Philadelphia, Pa., and took a medical course at Jefferson College, graduating in March, 1881. He then returned home and soon after located at Hubbell, Neb., but in September, 1881, returned to Republic County and began practicing medicine in Belleville, and has the largest practice in the place, meeting with splendid success. Is a young man of energy and enterprise and will be sure to rank high in the profession he has chosen as he is a close student and attends strictly to his profession; is highly respected and a man Belleville could illy(sic) afford to lose.

CHARLES BLANCHARD, wagon-maker, was born in Orleans County, N. Y., in 1827. Learned the carpenter and wagon-makers' trade. Remained there until 1854. Emigrated from there to Wisconsin and located in La Fayette County. He engaged in manufacturing wagons and carriages, which he carried on extensively until 1862; he then enlisted in the Thirty-first Wisconsin Infantry, serving two years. After receiving his discharge he returned to La Fayette County and remained there until 1870, when he emigrated to Kansas, landing in Republic County in the dead of winter with $13.40. Took a homestead on Section 6, Township 2, Range 2, and was among the first settlers in the town. He had a large family to support beside six head of horses to buy feed for, drawing corn forty miles which he paid eighty cents per bushel for. In the spring of 1871 he came to Belleville and put up the first wagon-shop in the place, and during the summer put up the first buggy and lumber wagon which was manufactured in Republic County. He remained in this business until the fall of 1872, when he moved back on his farm and began improving it. He broke 115 acres, planted about 6,000 forest trees and put up good buildings and remained there until March, 1882, when he sold out and again opened a wagon-shop at Belleville, He was married in 1850, in Erie County, N. Y., to Miss Burgess of that county, born there in 1828. They have five children--Alice, Francis, Sylvester, Charles, Jr., and Wesley. Mr. Blanchard is a member of Belleville Lodge, No. 96, I. O. O. F., and of John Brown Post No. 44, G. A. R.

D. C. BOWERSOX, farmer, P. O. Belleville, Kan., was born in Carroll County, Md., in 1844. Soon after, his parents removed to Adams County, Pa., remaining there until 1853. From there went to Montgomery County, Ohio, remaining there eighteen months, thence to Darke County, remaining until 1863, when he enlisted in the National State Guards, serving about one year. Then enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving about five months. In 1867 emigrated to Illinois, locating in Knox County, and engaged in farming until 1871, when he came to Kansas and took a homestead on Section 21, Township 3, Range 3, Republic County, Kan. Has sixty-five acres under the plow, twenty acres of pasture and the balance hay land; has four acres of timber, a good orchard of about 400 peach trees and a number of apple, pear, cherry and plum trees, and other small fruits. Engaged in raising stock for the past four years, meeting with good success. He was married in 1868, in Darke County, Ohio, to Miss Sarah A. Ream, of that place. They have one son, Elmer, born in 1873. Mr. Bowersox was Town Trustee and Assessor, and for four years was Constable besides school officer. Is a member of John Brown Post No. 44, G. A. R.

W. A. BROCK, merchant, was born in Boone County, Ind., in 1852. In 1855 his parents emigrated to Iowa, locating in Greene County. At the age of twelve years, entered a dry goods store as salesman and was so employed for a number of years. Then engaged in the dry goods trade in Jefferson Greene County, until 1876, when he sold out and came to Kansas, locating in Belleville, Republic Co., and bought a stock of general merchandise. The first year he had a trade of $10,000 and his trade increased so that in 1879 was obliged to seek larger quarters. He then purchased the building he now occupies, 20x64 feet, one and one-half stories high, and increased his stock, making it the largest in the place, and by close attention to the wants of his customers, succeeded in increasing his trade to $25,000 per annum. In January, 1880, was married to Miss E. E. Hallowell of Belleville. Is a member of Belleville Lodge No. 96, I. O. O. F., also member of Belleville Cornet Band.

E. BUSHBY, farmer, P. O. Scandia, was born in La Fayette County, Wisconsin, in 1845. Was raised there until twenty-one years of age; he then enlisted in the Fiftieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, serving sixteen months on the frontier, fighting Indians in Minnesota and Dakota. Was discharged and mustered out of service at Madison, Wis.; then located in Illinois and engaged in farming. At the end of one year and for a time was traveling through the West: went to Missouri; thence to Dakota; back to Nebraska, and over to the mountains. In 1872 he made a permanent settlement in Kansas and took up a homestead in Republic County on Section 31, Township 3, Range 3. Has 115 acres under the plow, thirty acres fenced for pasture, the balance in meadow. Has a grove of two acres planted and a variety of fruits. He has a good stone house, stone barn 40x18 feet. The place is well watered and is well adapted to stock-raising. He has nine head of cattle which he will increase, and sixty head of hogs, and has been very successful in this branch of stock-raising. He was married in 1874 in Wisconsin, to Miss Martha Bateman of that place. They have two children, Mary A. and George W. Mr. Bushby is a member of John Brown Post No. 44, G. A. R., Belleville.

WILLIAM COOPER, P. O. Belleville, was born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, near the City of Cleveland, in 1827, and was raised there until twenty-two years of age. His father was engaged in the nursery and tree planting business and they planted a good share of the trees in the park at Cleveland. In 1850, he settled in Illinois, near Chicago, and engaged in farming, remaining there three years. Then emigrated to Black Hawk County, Iowa, and engaged in farming and improved a farm there, remaining nineteen years. In 1872 he emigrated to Kansas, locating in Republic County and took a homestead on Section 29, the southeast quarter of Township 3, Range 3. This place is well watered by West Creek, which runs through the place. Has about twenty-five acres of timber land along the creek which makes a fine place for stock. Has since bought eighty acres on the same section, and has ninety acres under the plow, seventy acres fenced for pasture, the balance being hay land. Has planted about five acres of fruit trees, has put up good stables and good granary 14x24 feet, large stone house 30x30 feet, two stories high; has a good stone quarry on the place and everything to make farming a success. Has thirty head of cattle, five head of horses, forty head of hogs and turns off an average of fifty head per annum. He was married in 185l, at Crete, Will Co.. Ill., to Miss Mary J. Bonnelle. They have four children--Ida J., Annie E., Ella E. and Frank P. He is a member of the Masonic order. Mr. Cooper is a pleasant hospitable gentleman and one of the most methodical farmers in the town.

E. M. CRUMMER, farmer, P. O. Belleville, was born in Jo Daviess County, Ill., June 16, 1850; was raised there on a farm until fifteen years old; then went to Iowa and was employed as a clerk in a store for nearly three years and then returned to Illinois and took a year's course at the academy in Aurora. In the spring of 1871, emigrated to Kansas and took a homestead on Section 21, southwest quarter Township 3, Range 3, Republic County, in 1873; kept bachelor's hall and improved it; has added 160 acres more; has 120 acres under the plow, the balance in pasture; has four or five acres of timber, with good orchard and small fruits, and a good house and everything handy and neat around him. Is extensively engaged in raising hogs and has from 250 to 275 head to dispose of every year; has the best hog building in the county, 16x60 feet, divided into apartments so he can divide them, with windows to let in light and air, a large platform for feeding which is very convenient; will hold 350 large hogs without crowding and is no doubt as good as any in the State and the best in this part of the State. Mr. Crummer is noted as the model farmer of this State. Also buys and feeds cattle for market and ships the greater portion of his stock. He has been in this branch of business about six years. In 1875 was elected County Treasurer and held this office two terms and gave entire satisfaction while he served. Was married in 1873 at Elizabeth, Ill., to Miss Margaret Fraser of that place. They have four children, viz: James, Ariminta, Ralph and Mabel. He is a member of Belleville Lodge No. 55. A. O. U. W., Belleville Lodge No 169, A., F. and A. M.

DAVIS BROTHERS, bankers. George N. Davis, the senior brother, was born in Clay County, Mo., in 1853. When six years of age his parents moved to Plattsburg, where he was raised. His father was extensively engaged in the stock business and young Davis soon acquired a knowledge of the business which few men of his age ever attain. In 1868 he engaged in the stock business at Kansas City, remaining there about one year and was extensively engaged in shipping stock. He then engaged in the same business at Plattsburg, meeting with good success. Previous to going into the stock business he commenced a course at the Missouri State University, but left while in his junior year. In the fall of 1881 closed out his stock interests and came to Belleville, Kan., and in November opened a private bank in Belleville, the first in the place, and meeting with good success, sent for his brother and the style of the firm was George M. Davis & Bro. Soon after they bought a building and lot which they converted into a bank. During the summer of 1882, sold their lot and building to Mr. E. Powell. He put up a stone building 24x70 feet two stories, one of which Davis Bros. occupy. The front is glass and iron, the main business room 50x20 feet, bank parlor is 20x24 feet, finely furnished. The bank counter is on a circle of blocks of wood and glass top; vault is 5x7 feet inside, making one of the first banking rooms in Northern Kansas. The firm name has been change from George N. Davis & Bro. to Davis Bros. George N., president, E. Davis, cashier. Besides a general banking business, they handle real estate and are agents for the western loan agent of the Phoenix Insurance Company. Messrs. Noble & Towle attend to the legal business of the firm. Earnest Davis of the firm of Davis Bros. bankers, was born in Clay County, Mo., in 1854. In 1859 his parents located at Plattsburg and he was raised on the farm until 1872; then took a course at the State University, graduating in 1876. From 1876 to 1878 he attended the St. Louis Law School, graduating in 1878. He was married in 1880, at Plattsburg, Mo., to Miss Mary F. Birch, granddaughter of Judge J. H. Birch, one of the most prominent men of the State, In 1881 he came to Kansas, locating at Belleville, where he engaged in the banking business.

CAPT. ADAM DIXON, farmer and sheep raiser, Freedom Township, was born at Wigton, Cumberland County, England, July 4, 1827, and raised there, remaining until twenty-four years of age and was engaged in mechanical labor. On February 24, 1851, he was united in marriage to Miss Ann Lightfoot, a native of the same county, and the following March sailed from Liverpool for the United States, landing in New York City, April 29, 1851. He soon after located at Hemlock Lake, Livingston County, N. Y., where he engaged in the merchant tailoring business, following this until the war broke out. In October, 1861, he enlisted as a private in the Wadsworth Guards at Geneseo, N. Y. and was mustered into the United States Service with the One Hundred and Fourth New York Volunteer Infantry, November 2, 1861, and actively participated with the First Corps, Army of the Potomac, from Cedar Mountain to Gettysburg. He was promoted to First Sergeant and commanded Company G through the second battle of Bull Run. On September 12, 1862, he was promoted to Second Lieutenant for general good conduct and efficiency while on duty. On October 21, 1862, he was promoted to First Lieutenant, after the battle of Antietam, and as First Lieutenant went into the five days' battle of Chancellorsville, Va., in command of Company G; also had command of the company at the battle of Gettysburg, but on the evening of the first day was captured and held as a prisoner of war for twenty months, confined in the so-called military prison of the South, having during this time made three unsuccessful attempts to escape to the Union lines. He was afterward promoted, receiving a Captain's commission for gallant and meritorious conduct while before the enemy, commission to date from May 25, 1863. March 1, 1865, he was exchanged at Wilmington, N. C.; was discharged and mustered out of service at Elmira, N. Y., July 28, 1865. In 1867 he settled in Maryland, remaining there until 1870, but finding it unpleasant for a Union soldier to live there, he sold out at a great sacrifice and emigrated to Kansas, locating in Republic County, and took a homestead on Section 24, Township 2, Range 3, on April 12, 1870, and at once began to improve it. He has added eighty acres, making a farm of 240 acres. This has been finely improved. He has a good house and barns, a fine peach and apple orchard, besides small fruit of all kinds. The place is well watered by Salt Creek and numerous fine springs. Mr. Dixon is the champion sheep raiser of Republic County, or Northern Kansas. In 1877 he started in the business with 311 common Missouri sheep and has been improving the grade by importing some full blood rams from England. In 1880 he imported two full blood Southdown rams at great cost per head and then bought rams in Western New York, and again in 1881, imported two more full blood Southdown rams from the celebrated Lord Walsingham flock, which took the first premium at the Centennial Exposition over all the world. These are the only sheep of this blood in Northern Kansas, and Mr. Dixon has the first flock of sheep in the country. The average clip is nine and one-half pounds, while merino rams imported go from twenty-six and one-half to thirty-two and one-half pounds. His flock now numbers 558. In four years his sales on wool and mutton have been between $4,000 and $5,000. The interest must have paid 125 per cent per annum. Mr. Dixon has taken great pains with his sheep and thinks there is no reason why wool growing is not one of the best industries of this State. He is considered the most practical sheep breeder in Northern Kansas and there is no doubt but he is making the largest per cent on the investment of any one in the same line in the country, as he is well situated to care for them and has a thorough knowledge of the business. Mr. Dixon also imported a pair of full-blood Scotch Collie shepherd dogs from Scotland. Mr. Dixon is one of the most public-spirited men in the country; he is president of the Wool-growers' Association of Republic County; is also United States Commissioner for the State of Kansas, receiving his appointment in January, 1882. Mr. Dixon has a host of friends and is one of the most substantial men in the county. The letters which are appended to this biography will show how he co-operated with those who came in contact with him. He had five children by his first wife, (who died at Hemlock Lake, August 3, 1866,) viz: Joseph K.. born at Hemlock Lake, N. Y., December 8, 1853; Mary E., born at Livonia Centre, N. Y., May 27, 1855; John L., born at Hemlock Lake, N. Y,, May 10, 1837; William E., born at Hemlock Lake. N. Y., June 23, 1860; Thomas G., born at Hemlock Lake, N. Y., July 30, 1866,--died July 6, 1881. He was married in 1867, to Mary J. Harder of Livonia, Livingston County. N. Y. They have been blessed with one son, Robert Vickers, born April 29, 1875. Mr. Dixon is a member of John Brown Post, No. 44, G. A. R. and of Belleville Lodge, No. 96, I. O. O. F.

CAPT. ADAM DIXON: GENESEO, N. Y., December 14, 1869.

My Dear Sir:--

I have much pleasure in expressing to you my appreciation of all your good qualities of head and heart, while we were associated together as members of the late One Hundred and Fourth Regiment of New York Volunteers, and to convey to you my acknowledgment of all the kindly relations which ever existed between us. No company ever owed more to the tact and discipline of an Orderly Sergeant in moulding it into shape than ours did to you, and for that in the beginning, as well as your faithful, prompt and efficient discharge of every duty, it was my pleasure, as well as duty to the service, to aid in procuring your several promotions to the rank of Captain. Not that it required urging, for your merits were well recognized by all who preceded me in the command of the regiment. Further than that I desire to express to you my regard for you as a man. Our relations have been somewhat intimate for several years, and not only in our army relations, but, in our business transactions since, I have ever found you prompt, reliable, a faithful friend on whose good opinion I count with pleasure at all times.

Very respectfully yours,

JOHN R. STRANG,

Late Colonel One Hundred and Fourth Regiment, New York Volunteers.

GENESEO, N. Y, January 22, 1876.

To whom it may concern:--

I very gladly certify that Adam Dixon. Esq., now of Belleville, Kan., was a soldier in the One Hundred and Fourth Regiment, New York State Volunteers, during the war of the Rebellion, entering active service in 1862, as Orderly Sergeant of Company G, and retiring in 1865, with a Captain's commission. And that, during the whole of such time, his conduct as a soldier and a gentleman was such as to entitle him to the entire and high regard and respect of all who were brought in contact with him. His frequent promotion shows the estimation in which he was held as a soldier in his regiment and that he retired with the cordial good wishes of all his brother officers I know. Any claim which he may have a against the United States, and may ask Congress to allow, I believe to be presented in the most entire good faith. JOHN R. STRANG.

Late Colonel One Hundred and Fourth New York Volunteers.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, SECOND AUDITOR'S OFFICE,

WASHINGTON, D. C. July 27, 1882.

ADAM DIXON, ESQ.,

Late Captain One Hundred and Fourth View York Volunteers,

Sir:--

In transmitting to you a formal certificate that you are not indebted to the United States on the books of this office, I take occasion to express my appreciation of the honesty and straightforwardness which prompted you to voluntarily refund an over payment that the accounting officers of the Treasury Department had failed to discover.

Very respectfully, O. FERRISS, Auditor.

ROCHESTER, N. Y., July 16, 1863.

MRS. ANNA DIXON:

Yours of the 15th inst., reached me this morning. I will cheerfully give you such information as I have, and should have written you before this, had I not supposed that your husband's letters contained as much as I know. We were captured together; I was with him during the battle, and can assure you that he fought bravely, and was among the last men of his regiment to leave the line we were ordered to hold. On the evening of the 1st, we surrendered, and were marched into a field about three miles to the rear of the battle field. The Rebels treated us well in every respect, except that they did not give us sufficient food; their excuse for this was, that their army was, engaged, and they had not time to attend to getting rations for themselves. On the 3rd inst., a parole was offered to the prisoners; I accepted it on account of ill-health; had I been well, I should have refused it. Your husband and about one hundred and thirty other officers refused it, and they were started for Richmond; when they reach that place, they will be exchanged soon, probably, for our government has plenty of prisoners to return for them. Your husband was in good health, and I think that he will, without doubt, be able to endure such hardships as he may meet. I was sent inside our lines, and so came home. I have no means of knowing anything positively as to your husband, since the 3d inst., but I feel sure that he is well, and will return safely.

I am, very truly yours,

HOMER STULL,

First Lieutenant and Adjutant, One Hundred and Fourth Regiment, New York State Volunteers

PETER P. DOCTOR, farmer. P. O. Scandia, was born in Forfarshire, Scotland in 1841. He learned and worked at the stone cutters' trade there until 1867, with the exception of three years spent in London. In 1867 he emigrated to America, locating in Boston, remaining a few months, and then going to New York City, and in 1870 emigrated to Kansas, locating in Republic County. Took a homestead on Section 17, Township 3, Range 3. For the first five years he did not progress much, as he did not know anything about farming, and had to wait and see how others did, and get along the best way he could. West Creek runs through his farm. Has seventy-five acres under the plow, forty acres of pasture, about three acres of timber, and a small orchard of all kinds of small fruits, two miles of hedge, stone house, and a stone barn 22x32 feet. Is raising stock, has eighteen head of cattle, sixty head of hogs, and ten head of horses. For the first few years he had to go so far to market, that he did not get along very fast. Also worked at his trade and went to St. Louis and worked since he settled here. Was married in 1871 in St. Louis, Mo. to Miss Jennie Chalmers. They have four children-- Nellie, Alexander, Peter, Jr., and Robert.

ROBERT DOCTOR, farmer, P. O. Scandia, was born in Forfarshire, Scotland, in 1848; was a stone cutter by trade, and followed the business until 1867, when he emigrated to America, locating in New York City and worked at his trade until 1871, then emigrated to Kansas, locating in Republic County, and took a homestead in Section 19, in the northeast quarter. Has seventy acres under the plow, thirty acres of pasture, the balance being meadow. Has a forest grove of about ten acres; has some fruit, and has put up a good stone house 18x30feet, stone barn 22x50 feet, and has stone enough on his place to last him a life time, of good quality and uniform thickness. Is engaged in stock-raising, and has a few cattle, Four head of horses, eighty head of hogs, and makes a speciality of hogs. Has been successful since he came here, and is well pleased with Kansas, and since they got markets nearer than sixty to sixty-five miles, he has been doing extremely well. He was married in 1870 in Philadelphia, Pa. to Miss Ella Shond of that place. They have five children--Annie, C., John, Kate, and Ellen.

JAMES DUNCAN, farmer, P. O. Belleville, was born on the Island of Buteshire, Scotland, in 1844. Learned the carpenters' trade, and lived there until 1867. He then emigrated to America, locating in New York City, remaining there four years working at his trade. In 1870 he emigrated to Kansas, locating in Republic County; came out with the Excelsior Colony, composed of mechanics. There were seventeen of this number who did not know how to drive a team, letting alone putting the harness on. Mr. Duncan was one of the seventeen, and says they knew nothing about farming; however he took a homestead, as most of them did, on Section 7, Township 3, Range 3, and they were the first to settle on the open prairie. Uncle Sam had a company of soldiers camped four miles from here, during the first summer they were here. Has sixty-five acres under the plow, and thirty-eight fenced for pasture; the balance of about fifty acres is hay land. West Creek runs through the place which furnishes plenty of water for stock. Has planted about five acres of timber, one and a half miles of hedge, 300 peach trees, some apple trees and other small fruit, besides a large number of plum trees. Has eleven head of cattle, seventy-five head of hogs, also one span of mules, and one pair of horses, and is doing much better then he expected when he came. Has worked at his trade a part of the time, and in 1881 went to New York City and worked at his trade nearly one year. He was married in 1872, to Miss Marian Shields of New York city. She was a native of Scotland, and came West in 1872. They have two children--Sadie and James, Jr. He is a member of Enterprise Lodge A., F. & A. M., Jersey City, N. J.