WOODSON COUNTY, Part 3

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES (BAILEY - PICKETT).

W. A. BAILEY, Register of Deeds, came to Kansas in August, 1876; located on a farm near Yates Center; taught school for three years, and engaged for a short time in the grocery business, and was for nine months proprietor of the Central Hotel, Yates Center. In the spring of 1881, he was elected Trustee of Center Township, and in the fall was elected Register of Deeds, which position he holds at the present time. He was born in Randolph County, Ind., August 14, 1854; is the son of William H. and Margaret Ann Bailey. Lived twenty-one years in his native county, and served eighteen months as a telegraph operator for the Bee Line R. R. at Farmland, Randolph Co., Ind., and in August, 1875, moved to Iowa, where he attended school about one year, and came to Kansas. He was married in Woodson County, Kan., September 3, 1876, to Sarah E. Bell, daughter of George W. and Elizabeth Bell. He has two children--Frances W. C. and Annie E. Bailey. Mr. Bailey is one of the promising young men of the State, and is destined to be prominently identified with its future history. He belongs to the I. O. O. F., K. of P., and the Methodist Episcopal Church.

L. W. DANIEL, barber, came to Kansas in 1854; located in Linn County on a claim, but in 1856 his father was driven off his claim, and everything he had except a wagon and a blind team, taken from him by border ruffians. He left a growing crop in the field, and moved with his family to Barry County, Mo., and farmed until 1861, when he was driven out of Missouri by the rebels, and took refuge in Kansas. L. W. Daniel, the subject of our sketch, has remained in Woodson County ever since, and at present is the proprietor of the only barber shop in Yates Center. He was born in Shelby County, Ill., April 24, 1841, son of Jonah and Mary J. Daniel. Moved direct from his native county to Kansas in 1854. He was married in Barry County, Mo., July 22, 1860, to Ardenia Harp, and has eight living children. He is a member of the Christian Church and of the I. O. O. F.

J. W. DEPEW, County Treasurer, came to Kansas in the spring of 1872; farmed four years in Woodson County, then moved to Yates Center, and for about four years engaged in mercantile business, and in the fall of 1879 was elected County Treasurer; served a full term and was re-elected in 1881. He was born in Bloomington, Ill., February 5, 1852, son of Benjamin and Mary Depew. Was raised and educated in the city of Bloomington, and engaged in the mercantile business as a clerk until he came to Kansas, in 1872. He was married in Burlington, Coffey Co., Kan., September 29, 1875, to Eva Cox, daughter of James G. and Evaline Cox. By this union they have two children--Leonidas and William Depew. He is a worthy Mason, and N. G. of the I. O. O. F. His wife is an intelligent and accomplished lady, and a worthy member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Depew is recognized as one of the most obliging county officials, as well as one of our best citizens. He has served in the responsible position to which he has been entrusted with credit to himself, and with entire satisfaction to the public.

JOHN M. DICKERSON, farmer, and Sheriff of Woodson County, P. O. Yates Center, came to Kansas in October, 1870. Located on a farm in Allen County; remained nearly four years, and in April, 1874, accepted a position miller for the Burlington Flouring Mills. Returned to his farm in June, 1875; farmed until 1878, and served one term as Justice of the Peace. Came to Woodson County in 1878; moved on to farm near Toronto, engaging at the same time with W. S. Lockwood, in a flouring mill at the latter place, and in November, 1882, was appointed Sheriff of Woodson County, and is now serving his county very efficiently in that capacity. He was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, July 1, 1839, son of Thomas and Mary S. Dickerson. He lived in his native county thirteen years, and in Franklin County eighteen years. Learned and followed the miller's trade in the latter county. He enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Thirty-third Ohio National Guards, and was mustered in as Second Lieutenant May 2, 1864. He served a three months' term of enlistment, and re-enlisted in Company C, One Hundred Ninety-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Was promoted First Lieutenant March 11, 1865, and was mustered out August 27, 1865. At the close of the war he returned to Franklin County, Ohio, where he remained until 1870, when he emigrated to Kansas. He was married in Franklin County, Ohio, May 31, 1860, to Sarah E. Painter, daughter of Willis and Rebecca A. Painter. They have five children--Willis P., Hiram T., Thomas J., Leah J. and Mary. They are both worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is also a worthy Mason; is a studious, thoughtful man, quite ingenious, plain in his dress and habits of living, straightforward and reliable in business.

GEORGE E. FALER, editor and publisher of the Yates Center News, came to Kansas in the summer of 1861; located in Center Township and engaged in farming until 1876; then engaged in the loan and real estate business five years; then bought out the Yates Center News, and has been the editor and proprietor ever since. He has served three years as Township Trustee in Center Township, and in 1879 was clerk of the House Committee on Public Lands, Kansas State Legislature. He enlisted at Trenton, Mo., in Company B, Twenty-third Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and was in the home guard service three months. He again enlisted in Company F, Ninth Kansas Cavalry; was mustered in January 16, 1862. He was in the battles of Newtonia, Cane Hill, Prairie Grove and other engagements, and was mustered out January 16, 1865. He was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, November 8, 1842; son of Christopher and Elizabeth Faler. At a very early age he moved with his parents to Wabash County, Ind.; lived there twelve years on a farm, and in 1857 moved to Missouri. Lived near Trenton four years, and was educated in Grand River College. Located at Edinburg, Grundy Co., Mo.; came direct from that county to Kansas. He was married in Humboldt, Kan., March 31, 1870, to Mrs. A. E. Winger, an estimable widow lady of Indiana, and daughter of John and Elizabeth Murray. They have two children--Rush G., born December 1, 1871, and Jesse Harrold Faler, born April 21, 1876. Mr. Faler is Master of Gilead Lodge, No. 144, A., F. & A. M., Yates Center, and a member of Humboldt Post, and Valley Chapter, No. 11, Royal Arch Masons, Humboldt.

I. N. HOLLOWAY, Postmaster and dealer in real estate and town property, came to Kansas in June, 1869, brought everything he owned in a wagon, the entire outfit invoicing about $500. He rented a farm, and in 1870 took a homestead four miles from Neosho Falls, and engaged in farming for several years. He was elected County Clerk in the fall of 1873, and served three consecutive terms. He has been honored as delegate to State conventions several times. He served in 1881 from February to July 1, as State Aid Commissioner for the distribution of $25,000 worth of aid appropriated by an act of the Legislature. He engaged in the real estate business from 1879 until appointed Postmaster at Yates Center, which position he has filled since July 1, 1882. He was born in Mercer County, Penn., October 11, 1831; is the son of Ira and Esther Holloway. He lived in his native county twenty-four years, then moved to Independence, Jackson County, Mo., and was in the vicinity of Independence during the border war of 1856. He moved to Council Bluffs in the spring 1857, and in the fall of 1858 went with seventeen wagons and sixty miners, to Colorado; prospected and mined for one year. He returned to Omaha, and the next spring went to Ottumwa, Iowa, and engaged in farming until August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company H, Thirty-sixty Iowa Volunteer Infantry; was mustered in at Keokuk, Iowa, October 4, 1862. He did border service until the first general engagement took place at Helena, Ark., July 4, 1863; was afterward in several battles and was in Steele's expedition in 1864. He was on detached service in the fall of 1863, as Sergeant of Engineers, until mustered out in September, 1865. He returned to Ottumwa and conducted a hotel one mile west of town, until the spring of 1869, when he emigrated to Kansas. He was married in Washington, Iowa, October 24, 1865, to Mary J. Scott, a native of Pennsylvania, and daughter of Alva and Jane Scott. She is an intelligent and accomplished lady, educated at Washington College, Iowa. They have five children--Bertha E. and Myrtle I., twins, Elma P., Minnie E. and Clara Grace. They are both members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.

W. E. HOGUELAND, Clerk of the District Court, residence Neosho Falls, came to Kansas in the summer of 1869 and located at Neosho Falls; was then only ten years of age. He attended school in Neosho Falls, and finally engaged in the practice of law, after reading three years under Hon. W. A. Atchison. In 1880, he was elected Clerk of the District Court, being at the time just twenty-one years of age. Though very young, he has served, since his election, to the satisfaction of the people and has proven himself faithful, competent and efficient in his responsible position. He was born in Nashville, Ind., October 3, 1859. He is a son of Wm. B. and Cordelia Hogueland. He lived in his native town until he came to Kansas in 1869.

ROBERT A. HURT, farmer, Sections 18 and 19, P. O. Yates Center. He came to Kansas in April, 1871, and located seven miles north of Toronto, and farmed five years. In 1875 he was elected County Treasurer, and was re-elected in 1877, and since the expiration of his term of office in 1880, has engaged in farming near Yates Center; he also deals in real estate and live stock. He was born in Warren County, Ky., September 18, 1821. He is the son of John and Sarah Hurt. When ten years of age, he moved with his parents to Springfield, Ill., and in 1840, he and his brothers began the manufacture of woolen goods in Athens, Ill., where they remained until 1849, and next engaged in the mercantile business for two years at Havana, Ill.; then farmed in Mason County until 1860, and again sold goods in Mason City, Ill., four years, and in Elkhart six years, and then moved to Kansas. He was married in Athens, Ill., February 22, 1842, to Mary A. Dimond, daughter of Jesse and Susan Dimond. By this union they have five children--Emily J., Mary F., Augusta M., Agnes E. and John C. Hurt. He has filled all the chairs in the Masonic Lodge and the I. O. O. F. Mr. Hurt is one of Woodson County's most popular and prosperous citizens.

ISAAC M. JEWITT, merchant, came to Kansas in the fall of 1862, located Burlington, Coffey County. Farmed sixteen years, then moved to present location; engaged in the mercantile business, and in company with A. F. Palmer carries on a very extensive trade in general merchandise. He was born in Montgomery County, Ill., April 8, 1853, son of Mason and Jane Jewitt. Lived in his native county until he came to Kansas. He was married in Wilson County, Kan., February 11, 1878, to Ency Blackman, daughter of Thomas J. and Phoebe A. Blackman. They have two children--Alta L. and Bertha May Jewitt. He is a worthy Mason and a member of the I. O. O. F. Mr. Jewitt is one of the most prosperous merchants in the Center.

HARVEY S. JOHNSON, druggist, came to Kansas in April, 1870; located in Woodson County on a farm; taught school from the fall of 1870 until the spring of 1873, then went to Texas and taught in Hamilton County nearly two years; then returned to Kansas and continued teaching winters for nearly three years; clerked some time in a drug store and established his present business in November, 1879. He is the present Trustee of Center Township. He was born in Pike County, Penn., April 23, 1852, son of Daniel and Elvina Johnson. His parents moved to Wisconsin in September, 1852. He was consequently raised and educated in that State, coming directly from Jefferson County, Wis., to Kansas in 1870. He was married in Yates Center, December 25, 1876, to Mary J. Wille, an accomplished lady of Iowa, and daughter of Henry Wille. By this union he has had two children--Clarence Verne and Willard Leslie Johnson. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., K. of P. and A., F. & A. M.

HON. I. S. JONES, Probate Judge of Woodson County, came to Kansas in March, 1870. Located at Neosho Falls; taught the Neosho Falls public school, assisted by his daughter. In 1873 he was elected Judge of the Probate Court; has been re-elected time after time, and has held the office ever since; and during eight years of this time served in the double capacity of Probate Judge and Register of Deeds, being elected to both offices. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, April 20, 1823, son of William T. and Rachel Jones. He was educated in Wabash College, and taught several years in his native State. In 1852, he was elected County Auditor of Warren County, Ind., and served eight consecutive years in that capacity. For the next six years, he was engaged in the mercantile business, and then again in teaching until 1870, when he came to Kansas. He was married in Williamsport, Warren County, Ind., April 18, 1850, to Lucinda J. Etnire, daughter of Jacob and Mary Etnire. By this union he has two children--Mary O., wife of W. H. Slavens, and Maud, wife of T. A. Schuler. Mr. Jones is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and of the I. O. O. F. The universal esteem in which he is held by the people of Woodson County is indicated by the time which he has served in the responsible office which he has now held nearly ten years.

SOLOMON KESNER, insurance and loan agent, was born in Perry County, Ind., in 1832, where he lived until 1855, when he moved to Illinois, remaining there one year; thence to Iowa, and in 1857 located in Coffey County, Kan., and engaged in farming. Cleared up and improved a farm and remained there until 1860. Thence to Woodson County, where he improved another farm and engaged in farming and stock-raising. Mr. K. was among the pioneers of Woodson County. In 1879, he sold out and improved another farm, putting up a large stone house and other buildings and planted an orchard of twenty acres, and sold this and engaged in the hotel business at LeRoy, Coffey County. After remaining there one year, he traded this property for a grist mill in Elk County, and after a short time traded this for his present farm at Yates Center, Woodson County. In 1883, he engaged in the insurance and loan business Chautauqua County, with headquarters at Sedan, and has been doing a large business. For a number of years he was engaged in selling goods on the road and handling patent rights, besides attending to his farming interests, and for six months has been at work on a double bunch hay rake, which he has just succeeded in getting patented, which he is confident will take the lead in rakes in this country. Mr. Kesner is a public-spirited man, who takes a lively interest in all improvements or anything of a progressive tendency, and being a good business man, has accumulated a nice property since he came to Kansas, although he has been afflicted with poor health for several years. In 1854, he was united in marriage to Miss Sabra Kitterman, of Indiana. They have seven children--Christopher C., Elizabeth C., John W., Sarah A., George T., Amanda J. and Nancy E. Mr. K. is an active member of the Christian Church, and has been a member since eighteen years of age.

MAGGIE M. LAWRENCE, milliner and dressmaker, came to Kansas October 19, 1857; located at Iola, Allen Co.; taught seven years in Allen County, and is at present engaged in millinery and dressmaking. She is a native of Indiana, and is the daughter of Dr. S. K. J. Collins, the first physician who ever practiced in Iola, Kan. She lived in her native county until 1857, when she came direct to Kansas, being at the time only a child; she has been raised and educated in this State. She was married at Iola September 7, 1882, to James T. Lawrence, a native of Virginia, and at present, engaged as traveling salesman for the Comstock Scale Company. She is an estimable lady, and a worthy member of the M. E. Church.

ALBERT F. PALMER, merchant, came to Kansas in the spring of 1870; taught school one summer in Woodson County; then went to Michigan, and returned to Kansas in the spring of 1871; engaged in stock-raising two years, and also taught school; continued teaching until 1879. In 1874, was elected County Superintendent of Public Instruction, and served three consecutive terms. Before his last term of office expired, he established January 1, 1879, a mercantile business in Yates Center, conducted under the name of Palmer & Jewett. This is one of the leading firms of Yates Center. He was born near Ann Arbor, in Washtenaw Co., Mich., May 24, 1847, son of D. W. and F. D. Palmer. He lived in his native county twenty-three years, was educated in the Manchester High School; taught in the public schools of Michigan three years, and then came to Kansas. He was married in Yates Center, September 18, 1881, to Ella Chellis, daughter of H. T. and Sarah Chellis. They have one child, viz., Abbie E. Palmer. He is a worthy Mason, and a member of the I. O. O. F. Mr. Palmer has been of much service to the educational interests of Woodson County, and is one of the best citizens and most reliable business men in the county.

J. E. PICKETT, County Attorney, came to Kansas in the fall of 1864; farmed in Leavenworth County eighteen months, then in Lyon County eighteen months, after which he entered the ministry of the U. B. Church, and for several years preached in Chase, Marion and Woodson Counties. He has also taught in the public schools, and for one year engaged in the real estate business, after which he entered Lane University, and attended one year, then edited and published the Woodson County Advocate one year; at the same time prosecuted the study of law. Moved to Barbour County in 1874; was admitted to the bar the same year, and has engaged in the practice of law ever since. He was elected County Attorney of Barbour County just before being admitted to the bar, and his election was contested on that account. He returned to Woodson County in the spring of 1875, and in 1876 was appointed County Attorney, and after serving the unexpired term, was elected for a full term. After serving this term he edited and published the Woodson County Post, and was again elected County Attorney in the fall of 1880, and re-elected in 1882, and is now filling that office acceptably to the people, and with credit to himself. He has also served as Justice of the Peace, and as Township Clerk of Center Township. He was born in Randolph County, Ind., February 28, 1850; son of Benjamin and Nancy Pickett. He early moved with his parents to Howard County, Ind., where he lived until fourteen years of age; then moved to Kansas. He was married in Yates Center February 14, 1877, to Alma Chellis, an accomplished lady, daughter of H. T. and Sarah Chellis. They have two children--Arthur T. and Jessie. He and his wife are both members of the Christian Church, he having changed his church relations in 1873. He has made himself quite useful to society, and to the church, by preaching as opportunity afforded or necessity required, working entirely without compensation. He promises fair to stand in the very front rank of his profession as a lawyer. He belongs to the A., F. & A. M., the I. O. O. F. and the K. of H.