Anderson County KS Archives History - Books .....Chapter XXI 1877
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Book Title: THE HISTORY OF ANDERSON COUNTY, FROM ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT TO THE FOURTH OF JULY, 1876.

CHAPTER XXI. Prominent Men of Anderson County.

  DR. RUFUS GILPATRICK came to the Territory of Kansas in the spring of 1855,
and settled in the northeastern part of the county. He was one of the most
active and energetic men of the Territory. He was a physician by profession, a
Republican in politics, an active leader in the Free State cause; a man of sound
judgment, large experience, and well-informed in political tactics; was often
consulted as to the best means of securing the rights of Free State men against
the Pro-Slavery party. He was always ready when needed to defend the cause of
freedom, and did valuable service in behalf of his country. He was an object of
hatred to the Pro-Slavery party; and when a marauding party of the Ruffians
visited Kansas, in this portion of the country, it would make an effort to
capture him, but he always succeeded in evading them. He filled prominent
positions in the county and Territory. He was one of the delegates from the
county to the convention that assembled at Osawatomie on the i8th day of May,
1859, ^at organized the Republican party in the Territory; was on the committee
on platform, and took an active part in preparing the same, and in the debates
of that body. He was elected superintendent of public instruction of the county
in 1859; was elected to the House of Representatives in 1860, and was in the
Legislature at the time Kansas was admitted into the Union. He was as earnest a
worker in the Legislature as this county has ever had. He was the author of the
resolution for the appointment of a "committee to investigate the claims issued
under 'An act to provide for the adjustment and payment of claims,' and
supplemental thereto, passed February 7, 1859, and to inquire what attempts, if
any, have been made to foist a portion of said claims as a debt on the
Territory, and to inquire what attempt has been made to establish banking
institutions upon said claims, so attempted to be foisted upon the Territory,
and to inquire into all matters connected with or growing out of said claims
under said act, with full power to send for persons and papers," &c. He was made
chairman of the committee, and the report that he made on the matter to the
House proves that he was able to cope with the most difficult questions. It is
one of the most complete investigations and reports that could be made, which
developed one of the most stupendous frauds that was ever attempted to be put
into operation against the public, and to force upon the Territory and new State
to pay, which was refuted by the sagacity of such men as Gilpatrick. He returned
from the Legislature, after the admission of Kansas as a State, and resumed his
duties as superintendent of public instruction. At the outbreak of the rebellion
he entered the service as a secret detective on the border (a most difficult and
hazardous service), and continued in this service until the 25th day of April,
1863, when, at the battle of Webber's Falls, in the Indian Territory, he went
outside the lines to attend some wounded rebel soldiers, and, while dressing
their wounds, a squad of rebels rode up and called him out and shot him dead.
His body fell, pierced by a dozen bullets. He was buried at Fort Gibson. In his
death the army lost a brave soldier, and the country a true patriot.

  Among the noted settlers in the northeastern portion of the county, of 1855,
was W. C. McDow, of Mississippi. He settled near Greeley, on the farm now owned
by Reuben Lowry. He was anti-slavery in politics. He was, in 1856, appointed
justice of the peace, and elected to that office for a number of years
thereafter. He was a preacher, and held the first quarterly meeting in the
county, in the fall of 1856. He has lived a consistent Christian life, respected
in. his neighborhood.

  Among the early settlers of the county Alanson Simons is worthy of notice. He
came from the State of Ohio, and settled on the Pottowatomie, two miles east of
Garnett, in May, 1856, and was a reliable Free State man. He took an active part
in that cause in the early struggles in the Territory. He was a member of the
Pottowatomie guards, and did valuable service therein. He selected a claim,
improved and pre-empted it, and has made of it a fine and valuable farm. No man
in the county has been more highly and repeatedly honored than he, which is
shown by the number of positions of trust which he has held. He discharged the
duties of these offices with satisfaction to the people and credit to himself.
He went into the army in 1862, and served until the close of the war. He now
resides on his farm, deservedly enjoying the fruits of his labors.

  On the 15th of March, 1857, a colony of about fifty persons left Scipio,
Jennings county, Indiana, for Southern Kansas. William Spriggs, George S. King,
Sarah Spriggs, J. M. Johnson, Benjamin Spriggs, Tobias May, Morgan Heflin, James
Spriggs, Riley Spriggs and B. P. Brown, and each of their families, and J. C.
Johnson, Hiram Spriggs and A. Heflin belonged to the colony. On the 2Oth day of
April following the colony arrived in Anderson county, and settled in the
neighborhood of Scipiq. They at once selected claims and commenced erecting
cabins, breaking prairie and opening farms. By the first of September they had
some ten houses built, and families living in them. William Spriggs and Morgan
Heflin opened a store at a little town selected by them, called Fairview, where
they kept such articles as were most needed by the colonists.

  During that spring a number of settlers located in the neighborhood, among
whom were Leander Putnam, Cornelius Anderson, H. Cavender, John H. Best, Jackson
Reed, Nathaniel Cottle, B. F. King, Thomas G. Headley, Rev. Hugh Reed, Chester
Cummings, G. W. Flint, A. D. Jones, B. L. Adington and John S. Jones. On the
arrival of the colony they found Rezin Porter, James Black, Jackson Black, Mrs.
Totton, E. P. Bangus, G. W. Yandall, William Tull, William Puett, John H.
Wolken, Henry Feuerborn and Christian Feuerborn. The colony settled in what is
now Putnam township. In the summer of 1858 the colony laid out a town and called
it Scipio, which never had any existence except on paper. The neighborhood where
the colony settled is one of the most beautiful and well-improved portions of
the county.

  William Spriggs was the leading man of the colony. He was a lawyer by
profession, had been an Old Line Whig, was a radical Republican when he came to
the Territory, and has held many responsible positions and offices. He was
elected delegate to the constitutional convention, known as the Leavenworth
convention, and served with distinction in that body. He was elected judge of
the Fourth judicial district in October, 1858. He was elected to the Territorial
Legislature, where he did good service on the judiciary committee.

  The White Cloud Chief, published by Sol. Miller, in its issue of March 4,
1859, in speaking of the Legislature that had just adjourned, speaks in the
following complimentary terms of the Hon. W. Spriggs, of Anderson county:

  "Among the members worthy of thanks from their constituents, and from the
citizens of the Territory generally» I would mention Lewis and Larzelere, of
Doniphan county; Vail, of Marshall county, and Spriggs, of Anderson county. * *
* * Lewis and Spriggs, of the judiciary committee, worked faithfully and
earnestly in committee room and in the House, and no two others of that body did
half so much to perfect the business in a manner satisfactorially to all. * * *
A few more such men as I have mentioned, and Kansas would have a Legislature not
far in the rear of the Eastern States."

  In December, 1859, he was elected senator from this district, under the
Wyandotte constitution, and was in the first Legislature of the State; was a
member of the court of impeachment that tried Gov. Charles Robinson for high
crimes and misdemeanors in office. In 1862 he was elected Treasurer of State,
and re-elected in 1864, which office he filled with entire satisfaction to the
people, and credit to himself and the State. In March, 1867, he was appointed
judge of the Seventh judicial district, and served in that capacity until
January, 1868. He has been one of the most active men that ever came to the
State. He was one of the projectors of the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston
railroad; spent more money and time that was never repaid in procuring it than
any other man. He paid for the survey of the road from Lawrence to Garnett out
of his own money, and has never received anything for his time and money. He was
one of the originators of the Paola & Fall River railroad, and has given his
time and money to secure its construction, with some prospect of success. While
he is entitled to more credit for the improvements in the county than any other
man, he has received more abuse and condemnation than all other men in the
county; but, to his credit, the abuse came from a class of persons always
opposed to public enterprise and improvement; a class of chronic grumblers and
defunct politicians. His labors will redound to the benefit of the country, and
his name be honored long after his traducers have been forgotten.

  Henderson Cavender, another prominent settler near Scipio, came to the county
in 1857. He has held several prominent positions. He was twice elected county
treasurer; three times to the Legislature; and three times as county
commissioner. He has held other positions. He was an active, energetic man, and
entitled to great credit for his labors in behalf of the- county. He, like many
others, made some mistakes in judgment, which embarrassed him financially. He
sold his property and removed to Johnson county, Kansas, and now resides at
Shawnee Mission.

  Thomas G. Headley was a noted settler, near Scipio, of 1857. He was twice
elected county treasurer, twice county commissioner, and once a member of the
Legislature. He never acquired much property, his liberality and charity being
too great for him to become wealthy. He died, in Garnett, in 1870, a good
citizen, highly respected, a member of both fraternities, the Masons and Odd
Fellows.

  Leander Putnam is among the noted settlers in the Scipio neighborhood of 1857.
He has been elected to many offices of his township. He was elected justice of
the peace in 1859, and held that office for several years. He has been elected
trustee and assessor several times. Is a good, quiet, respectable citizen.

  Dr. Thomas Lindsay located in Garnett in 1857. He came from Iowa, is a native
of Ohio, had been engaged in his profession several years prior to his coming to
Kansas. He was a prominent Free State man, participated in most of the political
discussions during the early settlement, and has since held several prominent
positions. In 1859 he was elected to the House of Representatives, and was an
earnest worker in that body. In 1862 he was commissioned surgeon in the Twelfth
regiment of Kansas volunteers, and served as such until the close of the war,
when he returned and was again elected to the Legislature in 1866. He was a
member of the Legislature when Pomeroy and Ross were elected to the United
States Senate. He is now enjoying a large practice in his profession, having
principally retired from political life.

  G. A. Cook, of Sandusky county, Ohio, in March, 1857, settled three miles
northeast of Garnett, took a claim and opened a fine farm. In 1857 he was
appointed sheriff, and subsequently was elected and held the office until
January, 1861. In 1862 he was elected justice of the peace, and held that office
until January, 1870* when he again resumed the duties of sheriff, having been
elected to that office in November, 1869. He was again elected justice of the
peace in 1873, which position he still occupies. He has been a faithful officer.
He was a reliable Free State man of public spirit, and ready at all times to
assist public enterprises.

  Samuel S. Tipton came to the county in 1857; settled in the west part of the
county, at the place known as Mineral Point. He was one of the most prominent
Free State men in the western part of the county. He took an active part in most
of the political meetings in the county. He was the president of the convention
that organized the Republican party in the county. He brought with him to Kansas
a lot of forty-five thoroughbred cattle, and was considered for a number of
years the first cattle man in the State. He has dealt extensively in blooded
cattle, and remains in that lucrative business.

  William Dennis came to the county in 1857, from Indiana. He has been a
prominent man in his township, a radical Republican, and leader in his party. He
has been elected justice of the peace and trustee several times, filling the
offices with satisfaction to all.

  James G. Blunt settled on a claim northwest of Greeley, in the forks of
Pottowatomie, in the winter of 1856. He came from Ohio; was a doctor by
profession; a Republican in politics. He practiced his profession until the
breaking out of the rebellion. In 1859 he was a member of the Wyandotte
constitutional convention, and participated in most of the debates in that body.
In 1861 he entered the army as lieutenant colonel, was soon thereafter promoted
to the rank of brigadier general, and for meritorious service, in 1863, was
promoted to major general. He was the only officer of that rank from Kansas. He
distinguished himself as a soldier in many important battles during the
rebellion. He was a good officer. After the close of the war he removed with his
family to Leavenworth, where he now resides. His name is familiar in national
history as General Blunt, and will live as long as our nation's history of the
rebellion exists.

  D. W. Houston, of Pennsylvania, came to Kansas in 1858; a lawyer, a
Republican, an active man in politics. He succeeded in his practice of the law,
had a good practice in this and other counties, and did much to develop the
county. He entered the army in 1861 as a first lieutenant in the Seventh Kansas
cavalry volunteers; was soon promoted to captain, and then to lieutenant
colonel; but failing health compelled him to resign in 1864, when he was elected
to the State Senate. In 1869 he was appointed United States marshal for the
district of Kansas, and soon thereafter his family removed to Leavenworth, where
he now resides.

  Preston Bowen came to Garnett in 1857, from the State of Illinois. He was a
physician, a Democrat in politics, and has been a prominent man in the county.
He opened the first dry goods store in the county, in May, 1857, in a log cabin
in Garnett. He soon thereafter removed his store to Shannon, where the county
seat then was located. He has been elected county commissioner twice, and made
an efficient officer. He still resides on his farm, on the old townsite of Shannon.

  A. G. West settled on the Osage, a small stream in the southeastern part of
the county, in 1857. He was from Ohio, a Free State man, a Republican, and
participated in the .many difficulties of the early settlement of the county. He
was one of Montgomery's men. Has held several prominent positions. He was once
treasurer of the county, and brought order out of chaos. He served as an
efficient member, one term, in the Legislature. He is a successful farmer, and
owns one of the finest farms in the county.

  Joseph Price, a native of North Carolina, came from Illinois to the southern
part of the county in 1858. He was one of the proprietors of Elizabeth-town, a
prominent man, and held several township offices.

  Thomas J. Day was the first settler on Deer creek. He came there in 1855. He
was one of the first commissioners of Allen county; and was one of the
proprietors of Elizabethtown. He is a practical farmer, a good citizen, and owns
a good farm in the southern part of the county, where he resides,

  Among the early settlers in the western portion of the county none deserves
mention more than Solomon Kauffman, who came to the county in May, 1856, and
settled on a quarter-section of land, built a cabin and made other improvements,
and finally pre-empted it. He came from Iowa to Kansas, when a young man, full
of energy and resolute in purpose. He took an active part in the affairs and
difficulties in the county and Territory. When serious troubles arose in the
summer of 1856, he enlisted in the Free State volunteer service, under Gen. J.
H. Lane, and afterwards joined the Free State militia, under Captain Samuel
Walker, of Lawrence, and served in his company until the close of the troubles,
in December, 1856. He was present at Topeka at the meeting of the Free State
Legislature, on the Fourth of July, 1856, when that body was dispersed by United
States soldiers. He was there to aid the Free State men in whatever resolutions
the wisdom of that body should decide upon. He was a delegate to the Free State
convention at Grasshopper Falls, in 1857, and participated in its deliberations.
He was nominated for probate judge of Anderson county, in 1857, and received a
majority of all the votes cast in the county. In 1858 he was elected chairman of
the board of supervisors of Reeder township, and was the first chairman of the
board after the organization of the township. In 1861 he was elected county
assessor. When the news of the surrender of Fort Sumter reached Kansas, the
loyal men began to prepare for the conflict. The settlers in the vincinity of
Cresco and Central City met at the house of Mr. Kauffman, and at once organized
a company of militia. Kauffman was elected captain, and was commissioned by the
Governor. J. R. Eaton was elected first lieutenant, and H. N. F. Reed second
lieutenant. The company numbered forty-five rank and file, and met every
Saturday for company drill. In August, 1861, when it was apparent that troops
were needed in active service, he bade farewell to his company of militia and
volunteered as a private soldier in the Third regiment of Kansas volunteers,
commanded by Col. James Montgomery. He served as a private soldier until the nth
day of September, 1862, when he was  promoted to the rank of first lieutenant,
and assigned to L company, Third regiment, Indian brigade, commanded by Col. Wm.
A. Phillips, and on the 28th of May, 1863, he was promoted to the rank of
captain, and placed in command of a battery at Fort Gibson, in the Indian
Territory, in which capacity he served to the close of the war, and was mustered
out of the service with his company on the 31st of May, 1865. Soon after his
return he married Miss M. J. Patton and returned to his farm, where he remained
until the fall of 1868, when he was elected clerk of the district court, and
made a first-class officer in that position for two years, and then went into
the real estate business, which he continues to this date. He was a brave
soldier, a good officer, and is an active and respected citizen.

  John T. Lanter came to Kansas in the spring of 1857, and settled in the
northeast part of the county, two miles from the town of Greeley. He was a
native of Indiana. He came to Kansas a young man, •about twenty-one years old.
He settled on government land, made improvements and pre-empted a
quarter-section. He married Elizabeth Baldwin, a daughter of Rev. David Baldwin.
Lanter was a Republican in politics, and took an active part in all the early
political controversies of the county and the Territory. In 1858 he was elected
clerk of Walker township, and was the first clerk of the township. In May, 1858,
he was elected to the House of Representatives, under the Leavenworth
constitution. He was a delegate to the Ottumwa convention, in September, 1858.
This convention represented what were known as the nineteen disfranchised
counties. He was the author of the celebrated Ottumwa resolutions. Was elected
county assessor in 1860, and was elected engrossing clerk of the Territorial
Legislature in the winter of 1861 —the last Territorial Legislature. Was
appointed deputy United States assessor in 1862, which position he filled until
his district was abolished in 1867. Was commissioned as assistant provost
marshal in 1863, with the rank of lieutenant, and was on duty along the border
of Kansas for about eighteen months. This-was a most difficult and dangerous
service. Was in the battle of Westport, Missouri, on the 23d of October, 1864,
and in the heat of the battle, where the fight was the hottest. In 1872 he was
elected to the House of Representatives, in which body he made an efficient
member, and was one of the number that assisted, to defeat Pomeroy in his
corrupt attempt to buy his way to the United States Senate. In 1873 he was
appointed by the Governor one of the trustees of the insane asylum, and in 1876
was appointed one of the trustees of the charitable institutions of the State,
which position he yet holds. He has filled all the several public positions in
which he has been called to act with fidelity and to the entire satisfaction of
the public. He is now the president of the Citizens Bank of Garnett, and is one
of the principal stockholders.

  Rev. David Baldwin settled on the Pottowatomie, north of Greeley, in 1854; was
a Methodist minister of the gospel, and a radical Free State man. In 1856 he and
his son David Baldwin, then a mere boy, were taken prisoners by Major Buford and
his Ruffian party. They were taken to Paola, and there detained as prisoners for
several days, without any charge against them, only that of being Free State
men. After keeping them under guard and subjecting them to all kinds of abuse
and insult familiar to Border Ruffian characters, they were released to return
to their home on the Pottowatomie. Mr. Baldwin's family consisted of himself,
his son David, and his daughter Elizabeth. During the time that Mr. Baldwin and
his son were prisoners in the camp of the Ruffians, Miss Elizabeth, then a girl
of about twenty years of age, was left at home alone to care for the household
affairs, and most bravely and heroically did she guard her father's house and
property in his absence. She remained there all alone, and took care of his
affairs. She is deserving of as much credit for her devotion to the cause of
freedom as any other woman in the State, and she knows full well the hardships
and suffering encountered by the women of Kansas in its early struggles.

  H. H. Williams came to the county in the spring of 1855, an^ settled on what
is now the Isaac Hiner farm. He was a native of Ohio, a young man, zealous in
the Free State cause, and participated in most of the early political
conventions in the Territory. He removed to Osawatomie, where he now resides. He
was major in the Third and Tenth Kansas regiments during the rebellion, and made
a good and brave officer. He is now a prominent business man in the town where
he resides.

  To mention all the names and services of the worthy and distinguished men that
settled in the country prior to 1860 would require more space than could be
expected in a work of this kind; but in addition to those already mentioned
reference is made to the following gentlemen, who are worthy of special notice:
Isaac Hiner, James E. White, D. D. Judy, W. L. Webster, Jonathan Masterson,
Richard Robinson, James Sutton, Isco Sutton, J. B. Stitt, Jacob Benjamin, D. W.
Smith, William Tull, W. H. McClure, J. F. Wadsworth, Geo. S. Holt, John H.
Wolken, Brockholt Tyler, H. K. Robinson, Wesley Spindler, J. L. Bockover, Wm.
Beeler, Wm. Reynolds, Harvey Springer, Wm. Smith, W. S. Smith, James Smith, Zarr
Bennett, W. F. M. Arny, Benjamin Griffin, A. Rudd, Henry Williams, J. T. B.
Routh, John R. Kirkland, Richard Sandlin, B. M. Lingo, J. R. Eaton, J. R. Means,
David Shields, Stephen Marsh, Mathew Porter, R. H. Hall, S. W. Arrant, John L.
Hill, J. S. Robinson, Wm. C. Howard, Wm. H. Hamilton, Jackson Means, Dr. David
B. Swallow, Samuel S. Patton, John Stigenwalt, A. P. Clark, F. P. Whicher, John
Horn, Samuel McDaniel, Darius Frankenberger, W. L. Frankenberger, Samuel
Anderson, J. B. Dilday, James Black, Jackson Black, John Tefft, William Tefft,
Hiram Tefft, J. W. Lawellin, Thomas Newton, E. D. Lampman, A. O. Cooper and M.
E. Osborn.

  The most of the above-named gentlemen have been noticed in other portions of
this volume, giving their official positions held in former years, and
localities of their settlements, and are referred to here as being worthy of
further notice, which is omitted for want of space. There are many other names
that should Have a place in this volume, but it is impossible to do justice
fully to all in the history of county, State or nation.



Additional Comments:
THE HISTORY OF ANDERSON COUNTY,
FROM ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT TO THE FOURTH OF JULY, 1876.
BY
W. A. JOHNSON,
CHAIRMAN OF HISTORICAL COMMITTEE.

PUBLISHED BY KAUFFMAN & ILER, GARNETT PLAINDEALER,
1877.

Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1877, by
KAUFFMAN & ILER, In the office of the Librarian of Congress,Washington, D. C.


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