BUTLER COUNTY,
KANSAS
BIOGRAPHIES
HARDING, J. E. MRS.
Mrs. J. E. Harding, of Benton township, belongs to a family of Butler county pioneers. She was born in that part of Virginia, that is now West Virginia, in 1849, a daughter of Michael and Matilda Gidley, natives of Virginia, and of old Virginia stock, the former being of English and the latter of Irish descent. They came to Butler county, Kansas, in 1870, and for a time lived in a tent, surrounded by the primitive conditions of the plains-, and they homesteaded 150 acres in Benton township, and during their second year on their claim they built a small house of native lumber.
Michael Gidley, Mrs. Harding's father, dug the first well in Benton township, and the water from this well supplied fourteen families, many of whom came a long distance to this well for their supply of water. He drove from where Bentom now stands to the present site of the city of Wichita when there was not even a trail across that stretch of prairie, and made the first wagon tracks between those two points.
Like most of the early settlers, he was forced to do almost any kind of work for meager compensation in order to make both ends meet during the strenuous pioneer days. He frequently walked to Towanda, a distance of six miles, and after sawing wood all day, would return home carrying a stick of wood, which furnished fuel with which to cook his breakfast. After he had paid the expenses of filing on his claim he had a cash capital of seventy-five cents to begin life in a new country. Prices of provisions were as high as money was scarce, corn costing $2 per bushel, and other provisions in proportion.
The abundance of game, however, furnished the early settlers a plentiful supply of meat, their main food of that nature being venison and prairie chickens. Mr. Harding killed a great many deer, often in close proximity to his home. One day he stood on the south door of his cabin and shot a deer, and looking over his shoulder out of the opposite door he saw another one, which his unerring aim soon converter also into the family meat supply.
J. E. Harding and Miss Mattie Gidley were married in 1867, and came to Butler county in 1870, homesteading 160 acres of land in Ben-ton township. Mr. Harding was a native of Charleston, Me., born February 7, 1839. When seventeen years of age he left his New England home and went to Illinois, locating at Odell, where he remained until August 12, 1862, when he enlisted in Company M, First Illinois light artillery, and served until the close of the war. He participated in. many of the important battles of that great struggle and received his honorable discharge July 24, 1865, with a spotless military record to his credit. He was severely wounded at the battle of Chickamauga, September 20, 1863, but rejoined his command as soon as he was able.
Mr. Harding was a carpenter, and after coming to Butler county worked at his trade, while his faithful wife and little family "held down the claim" on the barren plains. Mrs. Harding also cared for her aged parents, cultivated some ground and looked after the cattle. In the early days all their supplies were hauled from Emporia. There were practically no roads, but merely a trail across the country, with no bridges across the streams, and Mrs. Harding recalls that the first year they lived here the season was a very wet one and the swollen streams made travel almost impossible, and wagon trains which were hauling supplies to the Indians and others farther west than Medicine Lodge, were detained here for weeks, being unable to ford the streams.
To Mr. and Mrs. Harding were born the following children; Nora L" Benton, Kans., who was born in Illinois; Mrs. Nellie A. Morehead, Benton, Kans.; Mrs. Matilda M. Wagner, Benton, Kans. Mr. Harding died July 15, 1907. Mrs. Harding resides in Benton township, and belongs to that type of American pioneer women who were not only here and saw the development of the great West, but performed their part in the great role of empire building. (History of Butler County, Kansas, by Vol. P. Mooney, 1916 Pages 715-716)
Edgar A. Spalding, a prominent farmer-and stockman of Benton township, belongs to a pioneer Butler county family. Mr. Spalding was born in Tazewell county, Illinois, October 2, 1855, and is a son of Richard C. and Elsie M. Spalding, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter of New York. The mother died in Illinois, and the father and children came to Butler county, settling at Towanda in 1869. A year or two later the father bought 160 acres of land and was engaged in farming and stock raising until his death, December 28, 1912. He was a successful business man and a good citizen.
The Spaldings were among the very first settlers in Butler county, and Edgar A., who was about fourteen years old when they settled here, has a rich store of many interesting recollections of pioneer days. Emporia was their nearest trading point of any consequence, there being no Wichita at that time. In 1870 the elder Spalding did some work on the Meade ranch, which was located where the city of Wichita now stands, and that year was about the beginning of the settlement of Wichita. He, with James R. Meade, broke the first ground in Wichita. There were few permanent settlers in Butler county at that time, and Mr. Spalding says that his father frequently killed deer and buffalo, which were their principal sources of meat. The "sand-hill" plum was also gathered in large quantities and served as an article of food.
Mr. Spalding was educated in the public schools and remained with his father on the home farm in early life, and about the time he reached the age of twenty-one he took charge of the farm, and through industry, guided by more than ordinary business ability, he has become one of the leading farmers and stockmen of Butler county. He was married October 4, 1882, to Miss Serepta Mooney, a daughter of Rev. Isaac Mooney, a Butler county pioneer, a narrative of whose life appears in this volume. To Edgar A. and Serepta (Mooney) Spalding have been born the following children: Mrs. Margaret E. Leuszler, Kansas City, Mo.; Mrs. Georgia Jackson, Lankershin, Colo.; Mrs. Grace Kenoyer, Kansas City, Mo.; Edgar A., Jr., Benton; and Harriet I., Benton.
Mr. Spalding takes a commendable interest in local affairs and has served as trustee and clerk of Benton township. He is a member of the Masonic lodge, and he and Mrs. Spalding belong to the Christian church. (History of Butler County, Kansas, by Vol. P. Mooney, 1916 Pages 716-717)
Dr. O. N. Lightner, a prominent Butler county physician and surgeon now engaged in the practice of his profession in the thriving town of Benton, is a native of Iowa. Dr. Lightner was born at Hillsdale, that State, in 1881, and is a son of John C. and Helen S. (Tawney) Lightner, the former a descendant of Revolutionary ancestors of German-English descent. Helen S. Tawney, Dr. Lightner's mother, is of French-Swiss ancestry, and a direct descendant of Bishop Jacob Mast, of Switzerland, who sailed from Rotterdam, November 3, 1750, and located at Philadelphia, Pa., and the direct line of descent from him to Dr. Lightner's mother is as follows: Jacob Mast married Magdalene Holler; Magdalene Mast married Christian Zook; David Zook married Susana LaFevre; Katherine Zook married Abraham Tawney, and Helen S. Tawney was born to this marriage and married John C. Lightner, and they are the parents of Dr. Lightner.
John C. Lightner came to Kansas with his family in 1884, locating in Sumner county, and he and his wife now reside at Wichita. He is a Civil war veteran, having served in the Second regiment, Iowa infantry, until he was discharged on account of disability, which incapacitated him for further military service.
Dr. Lightner was three years old when he came to Kansas with his parents, and has always been a hustler, having practically made his own way in the world and defrayed the expense of his own education. He made his first money riding one of the lead horses to a binder, and later, while attending school at Wichita, sold newspapers. Having completed his academic and classical education, he matriculated in Washington University Medical School in 1901, and was graduated from that institution with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1905. After passing the examination before the Kansas State Board of Medical Registration, the same year, he went to Old Mexico, where he was engaged in the practice of his profession until 1911.
He then returned to Butler county and practiced at Andover one year, after which he took a post graduate course at Tulane University, New Orleans, La. From there he went to Cuba, and after passing the examination in the medical department of the University of Havana, he became superintendent of the hospital of the United Fruit Company, at Preston, Cuba. He remained in that position until 1914, when he became afflicted with tropical fevers, which necessitated his returning to the North. He resigned his position, and in 1914 located at Benton, where he has a large practice and is one of Butler county's busiest physicians. The United Fruit Company ha£ made Dr. Lightner a liberal offer, in the way of a large salary, to return to his former post in Cuba, but he has declined to accept the same, being content with his present practice.
Dr. Lightner was united in marriage on August 16, 1906, with Senorita Isable Pina, a daughter of Gen. Niconor Pina Celia Va'sques de Pina, of Ocompo, Tamanlipas, Mexico. Mrs. Lightner is a descendant of the Viscounts of Spain. To Dr. and Mrs. Lightner has been born one child, Oscar Santiago, born July 25, 1907. (History of Butler County, Kansas, by Vol. P. Mooney, 1916 Pages 717-718)
E. T. Harper, of Benton township, well known in Butler county as a successful farmer and stock breeder, is a native son of this county. He was born in Benton township in 1876, and is a son of Dr. L. A. and M. L. (Nelson) Harper. The mother was a daughter of Edwin and Maria Nelson of Wisconsin, and she was a native of that State.
Dr. L. A. Harper came to Butler county with his parents in 1870, they being among the early settlers of this section. Dr. Harper was born near Hartford, Wis., March 9, 1847, and attended the district and village schools. In early life, he taught school a number of terms, and later took a course in a Milwaukee commercial college. He then attended medical college at Cleveland, Ohio, and prepared himself for the practice of medicine. He came to Butler county with his parents in 1870, and practiced his profession for a number of years, but was compelled to give it up on account of failing health. He was an invalid for a number of years, and a patient sufferer, who bore his afflictions with fortitude. He died August 10, 1902, and is remembered as a kind friend and good neighbor who always entertained a broad sympathy and kindly feeling for his fellow man.
Dr. Harper and wife were the parents of three children, as follows; E. T., the subject of this sketch; Flora E., Augusta, Kans., and Mrs. Susan M. Snodgrass, Towanda, Kans.
E. T. Harper was reared in Benton township and received a good public school education. Mr. Harper has made farming and stock raising his study and occupation. He specializes in Ayrshire cattle, and is also quite an extensive and successful hog raiser. He owns one of the fine farms of Benton township, and is one of the substantial men of Butler county.
Mr. Harper was married July 3, 1902, to Miss Nellie M. Fuller, a daughter of Milo and. Frances Fuller of Andover, Kans. Two children have been born to this union, as follows: Luman M., and Clifford N.
Mr. Harper is a Republican and takes an active interest in local affairs, and the well being of the community. He is especially interested in good schools, and has been a member of the school board for a number of years. He has also been clerk of Benton township.(History of Butler County, Kansas, by Vol. P. Mooney, 1916 Pages 718-719)
S. McGlade, one of the leading farmers and stockmen of Benton township, Butler county, is a native of Ohio. He was born at Dresden, May 14, 1851, and is a son of John and Mary Jane (Mutchler) McGlade. The father was born in 1828 in Ohio, and the mother was also a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Henry Mutchler, who was of German descent. John McGlade died in Illinois in 1880, and his wife came to Butler county, Kansas, in 1882, and now resides in Wichita. They were the parents of the following children: Henry, Champaign, Ill.; John, Augusta, Kans.; Albert, Red Bluff, Cal.; Mrs. Frances Howe, Wichita, Kans.; Mrs. Ida Evans, Binger, Okla.; Mrs. Lettie West, Monte Rose, Cal., and S., the subject of this sketch.
Mr. McGlade was married in 1878, to Miss Martha L. Rainey, a daughter of William and Mary Jane Rainey, of Ohio. The Rainey family came to Kansas in 1878, and the parents are both now deceased. They were the parents of the following children: John, Decatur, Ill.; James, Wichita, Kans.; Mrs. Emma Reuhl, Chatsworth, Ill.; Mrs. Ella Hull, Rosalia, Kans., and Martha L., now the wife of S. McGlade, the subject of this sketch. To Mr. and Mrs. McGlade have been born three children: Clarence, engaged in farming and stock raising near Augusta; Frank and Hazel Mary, residing at home.
Mr. and Mrs. McGlade had been married about a year when, in 1879, they came to Butler county, Kansas, and bought eighty acres of land in Benton township, and engaged in general farming and stock raising. They prospered and added to their original acreage until they now own 400 acres of land which is considered to be one of the best farms in Butler county. Mr. McGlade is a successful grain raiser, but has given special attention to the stock business, and raises and feeds large num-bers of cattle, sheep and hogs. He attributes what success he has had largely to the fact that he has aimed to feed the grain and hay that he has raised to his cattle on the place and to sell his cattle, or the finished product, of his farm at a profit, and at the same time maintain the fertility of his place. He has also endeavored to raise a sufficient amount of feed on his own place for his stock. However, he has varied at times from this general rule, exceptions being unavoidable. He is a strong advocate of the cash basis method of business and believes in paying as he goes. He has succeeded in interesting his boys in farming and stock raising, and they are enthusiastic twentieth century farmers.
Mr. McGlade is a great advocate of the farm as a substantial home for future generations, and believes that the "back to the soil" movement is the logical solution of abnormal sociological conditions of the congested centers of population. He believes that the present prices of farm products offer unusual opportunities for the producer. He is one of the successful farmers of Butler county whose career might well be studied and emulated. (History of Butler County, Kansas, by Vol. P. Mooney, 1916 Pages 719-720)
F. H. Penley, president of the First National Bank and a leading factor in the business affairs of Augusta, is a native of Maine. He was born at Bethel, Oxford county, in 1856, a son of Charles Freeland and Abbie (Locke) Penley, also natives of Maine. They were the parents of three children, as follows: F. H., the subject of this sketch; Alice Manley, a Baptist missionary in India, who began her career in that capacity in 1879, as a representative of the Augusta First Baptist Church, and A. E. Penley, a grain and seed dealer, Delta, Colo.
F. H. Penley came to Kansas with his parents in 1870, when he was about fourteen years of age. The family settled about two miles north of Augusta where the father took up a claim and followed farming and stock raising. This was an early day in the settlement of Butler county, and the Penleys were one of the pioneer families of that section. F. H. spent his youth on the home place and received a good common school education. At the age of twenty-one, he engaged in farming and stock raising, and for thirty years was successfully engaged in that business. In 1901, he was instrumental in organizing the Augusta State Bank, becoming vice-president of that institution, and has been identified with that bank as a leading stockholder and officer to the present time, although the bank has been reorganized and is now the First National Bank.
The Augusta State Bank was organized in 1901, with a capital stock of $10,000.00, and one year later was reorganized, becoming the First National Bank of Augusta, and the capital stock increased to $25,000.00 and it has a surplus of $5,000.00. This bank has a record of fifteen years of prosperous and successful banking to its credit, and is one of the solid banks of the State, and some of the best business men of Augusta and vicinity are among its officers and stockholders. The present officers are: F. H. Penley, president; H. W. Wilson, vice-pr#esident; W. A. Penley, cashier; A. R. Peckham, assistant cashier; and the directors are: J. W. Skaer, F. H. Penley, W. A. Penley, H. W. Wilson, John Guthrie, M. F. Taylor, W. W. Peckham, A. R. Peckham and W. B. Earll, and E. C Penley.
Mr. Penley's activities have not been confined to any one field of endeavor. In 1908, he entered the mercantile field, and purchased the J. H. Butts & Son stock of hardware and implements and organized the Paul & Penley Hardware Company. This concern does an extensive business, and is one of the strong mercantile institutions in southern Kansas. Besides their Augusta store they have a branch store at Mulvane, Kans., which does a business equal in volume to the Augusta store.
Mr. Penley is one of the pioneer oil and gas developers of the great Augusta field, and is extensively interested in that field of activity as a member of the Skaer Gas and Drilling Company. Few men are entitled to more credit for the greater Augusta than Mr. Penley. He is one of the substantial men of the community, and a dominant factor in the recent unparalleled development of Augusta and vicinity.
Mr. Penley was united in marriage in 1877, at Augusta, to Miss Ellen F. Colburn. She belongs to a pioneer Kansas family and was born in Massachusetts. The Colburn family came to Kansas in 1854, when Mrs. Penley was a child. They settled at Lawrence, Kans., and lived there when Quantrill, the notorious guerilla, sacked and burned the town. To Mr. and Mrs. Penley have been born four children, as follows: Walter, cashier of the First National Bank, Augusta, Kans., married Winnie Paul, of Augusta; Earnest C, member of the Paul & Penley Hardware Company, Augusta, Kans., married Pearl Paul of Augusta; Ruth, married Roy J. Paul, a farmer near Augusta, and Charles W., a student of Baker University and member of the class of 1916. (History of Butler County, Kansas, by Vol. P. Mooney, 1916 Pages 720-721)
E. A. Bachelder, a prominent farmer and stockman of Murdock township and a member of a Butler county pioneer family, is a native of New York. He was born in 1856, and is a son of Nathaniel and Rosanna Bachelder, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Ireland. They were the parents of the following surviving children: Nathaniel, Wichita, Kans.; W. H., Wichita, and E. A., the subject of this sketch.
The father was a carpenter in early life, back East, but removed to Illinois where he engaged in farming until 1873. He then came to Kansas with his family where he also engaged in farming, giving almost his entire attention to raising wheat, which he sold at a fair price, considering the day and age, usually getting about a dollar a bushel, after hauling it to Wichita or Newton. The family lived in a box house 12x14 feet consisting of one room, when they first came to Kansas, the boys sleeping in a straw house. They found timber enough in the vicinity of their home for the frame work of the new house and other lumber, which was used in its construction, they hauled from Newton. This house when completed consisted of four rooms and was considered one of the fine residences of that day, and frequently the young people came from a radius of thirty miles to attend dances there, Judge Mooney, the author of this work, being one of the young folks who often attended these dances.
Nathaniel Bachelder, the father, became one of-the prosperous men of the community, and at the time of his death in 1903, he owned a half section of land. His wife died in 1886. E. A. Bachelder remained on the home farm until he was about twenty-five years of age when he began life for himself. In 1887, he bought 160 acres of land where he now resides and later bought another 160 adjoining it. He has met with uniform success in his farming operations and has been unusually successful in raising horses, mules and hogs, which have yielded him very satisfactory profits.
Mr. Bachelder was married in 1878. to Miss Mahala Wallace, a daughter of T. J. and Mary Wallace of Missouri. Mrs. Bachelder is one of the following children: W. D. Wallace, Benton; Mrs. Martha Cochran, Bartlesville, Okla.; Mrs. Mary Cochran, El Dorado; Mrs. Georgie McMasters, Benton, Kans.; Mrs. Rose Henry, Benton, Kans., and Mrs. Bachelder. The Wallace family were among the early settlers of Bourbon county, Kansas, locating there in 1869. In 1872, they came west, locating in Sedgwick county, then on the frontier, and Mrs. Bachelder remembers having often seen Indians wandering across the plains in bands of varying sizes.
The Wallace family suffered many hardships in those pioneer days, of which Mrs. Bachelder has a vivid recollection. She says when a girl she wore "government shoes" to school; they were regular men's shoes, coarse and heavy, and she has gone to school without her dinner because there was none for her to take, but she rejoices in the fact that she has lived to see all this changed, but it is possible that the vicissitudes of these early days served a purpose. It was the acid test of endurance, and a case of the survival of the fittest. The privations of the early days were the great kindergarten of life that built character and fitted the boys and girls of the plains for the great task of building up a bigger and better industrial system of civilization than the world has ever known before.
Mr. Bachelder, while giving his own personal affairs close and careful attention, has always been able to find time to perform any duty that naturally falls to the lot of progressive member of the community. He has taken a deep interest in education, and has served on the school board of his district for a number of years, and at present is the treasurer of Murdock township.
Mr. and Mrs. Bachelder are the parents of the following children: Roscoe, Benton, Kans.; Mrs. Stella Leap, Furley, Kans.; Floyd, married Hazel Wait, of Murdock township, and resides in Murdock township; Ira, Theodore, Waunita and Berdine, all at home. (History of Butler County, Kansas, by Vol. P. Mooney, 1916 Pages 721-722)
A. W. Arnold, a prosperous farmer and stockman who, by his industry, has not only made a comfortable home for himself, but has contributed to the development, beauty and productiveness of Butler county, is a native of Illinois. He was born in Peoria county in January, 1854, and is a son of William A. and Louisa (Fisher) Arnold. William A. Arnold, the father, was a native of Vermont, born in Windham county, that State, October 8, 1826, and when seventeen years old, he went to Illinois and located in Peoria county. He was married to Miss Louisa Fisher, June 6, 1850, and the following children of that union are now living: A. W., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Lydia Edson, Benton, Kans., and Mrs. Mary Stowers, Brimfield, Ill. The father was a farmer near Brimfield, Ill., and is now deceased. He was a very religious man, and, for a number of years, was a deacon in the Baptist church. His wife, and mother of Mr. Arnold, is still living at the advanced age of eighty-two years.
A. W. Arnold came
to Kansas in 1881, and the following year bought 160 acres of land in Murdock township, where he has since been
engaged in general farming and stock raising. He has been very succesful in his farming operations, and has given
considerable attention to raising cattle and hogs, and has been unusually successful with the latter. He has a
well improved farm with a comfortable residence.
Mr. Arnold was married in 1882 to Hattie Robinson Clark, a daughter of Elder Sumner and Cordelia Robinson, natives
of Maine. The Robinson family came to
ansas in 1877, and settled in Sedgwick county, where the father bought 160 acres of land. There were eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Robinson, three living: Mrs. C. H. Daniels, La Harpe, Kans.; Mrs, Albie Baird, Monte Vista, Colo., and Mrs. Arnold. To Mr. and Mrs. Arnold have been born four children, two of whom are living: S. A. Arnold, Beaver, Okla., and E. F. Arnold, Benton, Kans. Mrs. Arnold had one son by her former marriage, Albert F. Clark, Ridge, Ark. The Arnolds are well known in Butler county, and are reckoned among the substantial citizens of Murdock township. (History of Butler County, Kansas, by Vol. P. Mooney, 1916 Page 723)
Jesse A. Hawes, a veteran of the Civil war, who is one of the prominent farmers and stockmen of Murdock township, has been a resident of this county since January, 1877. Mr. Hawes was born in Illinois, February 14, 1845, and is a son of Peter J. and Julia Hawes, natives of Kentucky. The Hawes family is a prominent old American family, dating back to Colonial days. John Hawes, Sr., of Maryland, who was born in 1791 and became a prominent figure in American life, was a member of this family. The Hawes family came to Kansas, settling in Lincoln township, Butler county, in 1876. The father bought 160 acres of land upon coming here, which he later sold, and bought 240 acres in Linn county, and exchanged that tract for 120 acres in Butler county, near Augusta, and died on that place. After his death, his wife made her home with Jesse A. for a number of years, when she, too, passed away. They were the parents of the following children: Jesse A., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Isabelle A. Griggs, Washington; Mrs. Mary C. Zollers, Augusta, Kans.; Charles W., Augusta, Kans.; Mrs. Louisa F. McCann, Benton, Kans.; Joseph A., Benton, Kans.; Mrs. Nancy M. Mackey, Perry, Okla., and Mario C, Benton, Kans.
Jesse A. Hawes spent his boyhood days on the farm in Illinois, and attended the common schools until he was seventeen years old. On August 9, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred Sixth regiment, Illinois infantry, and, during his term of service, his health failed, and he was discharged on account of physical disability.
Mr. Hawes was married September 1, 1864, to Miss Roselda L. Castle, and in 1876, came to Kansas, locating in Sedgwick county, near where Mulvane now stands, and came to Butler county in January, 1877. During his first four years here, he farmed rented land, and then bought 160 acres in Murdock township. After living on that place for twelve years, he sold it and bought the place where he now resides, which consists of 160 acres of fertile and productive land, which is one of the best farms in the county.
When Mr. Hawes first came to Butler county, he lived north of El Dorado on the road traveled extensively by freighters, and they frequently stopped at his house over night. He recalls that they stopped at his place with the second printing press that was ever brought to El Dorado, and the roads were so muddy they could not haul it any farther, so they divided it, and hauled it to El Dorado in two loads. Game was plentiful when Mr. Hawes came here. He says, he has seen acres of antelope, but the little fellows were not easy to kill.
Mr. and Mrs. Hawes have five children, as follows: Mrs. Grace Bauman, Mustang, Okla.: John H., Benton, Kans.; Mrs. Jessie M. Gale, Red Rock, Okla.; Mrs. Maggie C. Ballard, Attica, Kans.; Charles D-Benton, Kans., and Mrs. Isabelle V. Parks, deceased. Mr. Hawes has seen many changes since coming to Butler county, and has been an active factor in the great evolution of this barren and unpeopled waste, to one of the prosperous and productive sections of the country. (History of Butler County, Kansas, by Vol. P. Mooney, 1916 Pages 723-724)
Samuel P. Gale, one of the prominent farmers and stockmen of Murdock township, is an early settler of that part of Butler county. He was born at Maiden, N. Y., April 23, 1842, and his parents were Harvey and Ursula Gale. The father was born in Columbia county, New York, June 16, 1806, and is a descendant of Connecticut stock. He was married to Ursula Roberts, February 22, 1827, and two sons of this union are now living, Samuel P., the subject of this sketch, and Isaac J., who resides at Atlanta, Ill.
In 1872, Samuel P. Gale came to Butler county, settling in Murdock township, and homesteaded eighty acres of land, where he engaged in farming and stockraising. Since that time, he has bought another eighty acres, and now has one of the valuable farms of Murdock township, and has met with unusual success in his chosen vocation. However, like most of the other early settlers, he encountered many difficulties and discouraging features before he was properly started on the high road to success. When he came here he had only one horse, but succeeded in buying a pony on credit and for the first few years crops were poor, money scarce and hard times prevailed generally. Drouths, grasshoppers, hail, cyclones, and hot winds kept most of the early settlers guessing, where they were going to get their next meal or sleep that night.
In 1874 Mr. Gale drove to Coffey county to get seed wheat and the following year had a good crop of wheat. This gave him a start, and fortified him for a few more failures. His first house in Butler county was a one-room affair, 12x14 feet which was replaced in due time by a more pretentious and commodious residence and the Gale farm is now well equipped with farm buildings and the place is under a high state of cultivation, presenting an attractive appearance.
Mr. Gale was married November 16, 1881, to Miss Henrietta C. a daughter of Henry and Helen Bush of Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Bush were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Marguerite J. Pracht, Burns, Kans.; Hiram, Wichita, Kans.; Henrietta, wife of Samuel P. .Gale, the subject of this sketch; James, Gibson City, Ill.; William, Wichita; John, Whitewater, and Robert, Wichita. The Bush family came to Butler county in 1871, locating in Benton township, where they homesteaded 160 acres of land. Mrs. Gale recalls many of their experiences in the early days which were mostly made up of inconveniences and hardships. She says Rev. Isaac Mooney was their pioneer preacher, and the first time she went to church in Butler county, services were held in a hay barn. To Mr. and Mrs. Gale have been born two children: Henry, who resides at home, and Mrs. Ursula Chaney, Whitewater, Kans.
Mr. Gale has always taken an interest in township and county affairs, and served as justice of the peace for eight years; and during that time performed eight marriage ceremonies, and we have no record that any of his matrimonial knots were ever untied, which would indicate that the marriage ceremony was properly performed He is a supporter of good schools and for a number of years served on the school board.(History of Butler County, Kansas, by Vol. P. Mooney, 1916 Pages 724-725)
M. P. Claypool, of Murdock township, is one of the successful farmers and stockmen, whose enterprise and effort have made Butler county one of the great, political sub-divisions of the State of Kansas. Mr. Claypool was born in Knox county, Missouri, in 1851, and he is a son of Josephus and Sarah E. Claypool, the former a native of Indiana, and the latter of Virginia. The Claypool family, consisting of the parents and five children, came to Kansas in 1870, settling on a farm of 160 acres in Murdock township, Butler county. When they first came here, the wagon in which they drove across the country was their only home, until they built a little house.
Their first home was built of native lumber, which was sawed at the little mill at Towanda. There were lots of deer here at that time, and prairie chickens could be found on the plains in countless numbers. The elder Claypool was quite a buffalo hunter, and made several trips, a little farther west where buffalo were still plentiful, and always returned with a good supply of meat. The settlers at that time depended largely upon buffalo, deer, and prairie chickens for their supply of meat. Staple supplies, such as meat and groceries, were very high priced; flour and sugar were about twice the present price, and bacon was about thirty-five cents a pound, and money was scarce. M. P. Claypool killed lots of deer and prairie chickens, but his father did most of the buffalo hunting for the family.
M. P. Claypool recalls many incidents in the pioneer life of Butler county. Whitewater was a popular rendezvous for Texas cattlemen, who wintered large numbers of cattle there, and frequently the Texas cowboys attended local dances, in the neighborhood, dancing being the principal pastime of the young people. Sometimes the cowboys would get rough, but their rows were generally between themselves, and no serious harm resulted. The young men among the early settlers of Butler county were law-abiding, and, as a rule, a very honorable class of young fellows.
Mr. Claypool has made farming and stock raising his life's occupation. In 1900, he bought the old home place in Murdock township, and afterward bought a quarter section adjoining it, and now has a splendid farm of 320 acres. The neat appearance of the place bespeaks the industry and prosperity of its owner. Mr. Claypool keeps a number of work horses and usually keeps his place stocked with about seventy-five head of cattle, and an equal number of hogs.
In 1882, Mr. Claypool was united in marriage with Miss Cora Metz, the daughter of Thomas and Thitrza Metz, who came to Kansas in 1880, and settled in Butler county. To Mr. and Mrs. Claypool have been born the following children: Mrs. Hattie Stuart, Benton, Kans.; Frank, Whitewater, Kans.; Rilla, Whitewater, Kans.; Mrs. Delia McCann, Benton, Kans.; Mrs. Pearl Mason, Furley, Kans., and Thursa, Gladys, Pauline, and Mildred, all residing at home.
The members of the Claypool family are well known in Butler county, and are highly respected. Mr. Claypool takes a lively interest in local affairs in so far as good citizenship is concerned, and has served as trustee of Murdock township for twelve or fourteen years, and has also served as township treasurer. (History of Butler County, Kansas, by Vol. P. Mooney, 1916 Pages 725-726)
W J. Houston, a prominent citizen of Murdock township, is a dominant factor in the affairs of that township, and has been a part of the progress of Butler county for thirty-seven years Mr. Houston is a native of North Carolina, and his parents, James F. and Mary (Patterson) Houston, were descendants of old southern families of Scotch-Irish ancestry.
W. J. Houston located in Butler county in 1879, coming here at the solicitation of Mr. Cameron, a real estate man, who brought him out to what was then known as the "Whitewater District." He did not buy land immediately upon coming here, but rented eighty acres and engaged in the stock business. After renting for two years he was so favorably impressed with the locality that he bought 160 acres in Murdock township and began the stock business on his own place. He "batched" for the first year and in April 1883 he was married to Miss Susan M. White, then a Butler county school teacher. She is a daughter of John White, a pioneer of Plum Grove township.
During the first year on his place, Mr. Houston had made many im-provements, including a good residence, hay barn, stable, etc. He has combined stock raising with general farming and has been unusually suc-cessful. He now owns a section of fine productive bottom land, the value of which, when he bought it, ranged from $15 to $30 per acre. It is now worth between $75 and $100 per acre. Mr. Houston has followed the policy of feeding the grain product of his place to his cattle, which he has found to be the most profitable method of farming and stock raising. He is one of the successful alfalfa growers of this section, and has about 100 acres devoted to that crop.
To Mr. and Mrs. Houston have been born seven children, as follows: Eula, Ona, Maggie, Orin, Zada, Alta, and William Harris, all of whom have received good educations and reside at home.
Mr. Houston is a student of men and events and a very close observer. He takes a keen interest in the public affairs of his county and State and has frequently been called to positions of trust and honor by his fellow citizens. He has served one term as county commissioner of Butler county, and in 19I2 was elected to represent his district in the State legislature which he did with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. While serving as county commissioner he conducted the affairs of the county in the same business like manner which is characteristic of his painstaking methods in his private business affairs. He has also held a number of local offices, having been a member of the school board for a number of years, and also justice of the peace of Murdock township. He says that Butler county has been good to him. He is a broad-gauged, big hearted and liberal minded man, who realizes and appreciates the honor and trust which his friends and neighbors have imposed in him. Mr. Houston saw much of the history of Butler county in the making, as it were, and is unusually familiar with the story of pioneer life of Butler county.(History of Butler County, Kansas, by Vol. P. Mooney, 1916 Pages 726-727)
A. H. Martin, a Civil war veteran and prominent farmer and stockman of Sycamore township, is a native of Illinois. He was born near Cairo, in 1841, and is a son of Henson and Marv (Holman) Martin. The Martin family were very early settlers in the Territory of Kansas. In 1854, the father settled on a claim in Atchison county, and A. H. was about thirteen years of age when the family settled there.
He remained on the home farm until the Civil war broke out, and on September 19, 1861, enlisted in Company C, Eighth regiment, Kansas infantry, for three years. He participated in all the engagements in which his regiment took part, and received his honorable discharge, October 3, 1864. He then returned to Atchison county, and purchased ninety acres of land, where he engaged in farming with an ox team. He raised broom corn in the early days, there, and one year, received $80 per ton for this product. In 1910, he came to Butler county, where he has since been engaged in farming.
Mr. Martin was married in November, 1864, to Miss Sophia Cox, a native of Missouri, and a daughter of John Cox. To this union have been born four children, two of whom are living, as follows: Mrs. Cora Woodburn, Ashton, Idaho, and Nellie, who resides in Jackson county, Kansas. Mrs. Martin died in 1883.
On March 6, 1884, Mr. Martin married Melvina Hadley, a native of Missouri, and a daughter of William and Melvina Hadley, who were very early settlers in Kansas, coming from Missouri to this State in 1856. To Mr. and Mrs. Martin have been born two children: Mrs. Myrtle Mulanax, Cassoday, Kans., and Robert, Beggs, Okla. (History of Butler County, Kansas, by Vol. P. Mooney, 1916 Pages 727-728)
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