Bios Index

WINTER, DANIEL M. D.

DANIEL WINTER, M. D., one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Columbus, of the Homeopathic school, has been a resident of Cherokee County for more than 20 years. Dr. Winter was born in the principality of Waldeck, Germany, in 1833, and is a son of William and Henrietta (Meisner) Winter.

The parents of Dr. Winter came to America in 1843 and settled in Fairfield County, Ohio, where William Winter followed his trade of gunsmith until 1852, when he moved to Shelby County, Illinois. He did not live to establish himself there, however, his death occurring six weeks later, at the age of 63 years. His wife, who was also a native of Northern Germany, died at Columbus, Kansas, in 1884, aged 88 years. Dr. Winter has two brothers,- Rev. E. A. Winter, a minister in the Lutheran Church, who is now in Oklahoma; and Ferdinand, who is a farmer in Fairfield County, Ohio.

Dr. Winter was educated in Ohio and was subsequently engaged in teaching for some years prior to taking up the study of medicine, which he did about 1849, at Lancaster, Ohio, with Dr. Sachse, a noted German physician of that day. In 1885 he began the practice of medicine, which he has followed continuously with the exception of three years, until the present time. After his removal, with his parents, to Shelby County, Illinois, he practiced very successfully until he came to Columbus in 1884.

Prior to leaving Ohio, Dr. Winter was married to Isabel Hiestan, who was born in that State, of German ancestry. They have five children, namely: W. F. E., of Columbus, who follows the trade of a carpenter; Mrs. Henrietta Harvey, of Columbus; Albert, of St. Louis, who is in the employ of a manufacturing company; Louis H., of Galena, Kansas, a stenographer by profession; and Mrs. Emma A. Samuelson, of Dietz, Wyoming. Three children are deceased.

Politically, Dr. Winter is a Democrat of the old Jeffersonian type, and was formerly very active in political affairs. He has witnessed many changes in the old standards, but still is stanch in his adherence to the underlying principles of the party. He is equally loyal to the Lutheran Church in which he was reared from childhood. His wife is also a member of that church.

Dr. Winter is a member of the Missouri Institute of Homeopathy, and formerly belonged to the Ozark Medical Society. He is the only distinctively Homeopathic physician in Columbus and has a large practice, which, in spite of his 70 years, he skillfully attends to. During his long residence here, he has seen wonderful progress made, and has been identified with much of the city's development. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 263-264)

A. HOOD & SONS

THE A. HOOD & SONS IMPLEMENT COMPANY, with headquarters at Columbus, Kansas, is one "of the extensive industries of Cherokee County, and probably does the largest vehicle business in the Southwest. It was established in 1873, and was incorporated July 29, 1901, under the laws of the State of Kansas.

The first officers of this company, who also formed its first board of directors, were: Archibald Hood, deceased July 17, 1903, president; Wilson K. Hood, who died February 19, 1904, vice-president; and Edgar C. Hood, secretary. The present officers are: Edgar C. Hood, president; George W. Hood, vice-president; O. E. Skinner, secretary; and Mary A. Hood, treasurer. The directing board is composed of Edgar C. Hood, George W. Hood and O. E. Skinner.
While Columbus is the headquarters of the concern, branch houses have been established at Pittsburg, McCune and Baxter Springs. The company works with a full paid-up capital of $125,000, has a large surplus, and carries at all times a full line of vehicles, agricultural implements and seeds. The main building of the company is located on the south side of the square at Columbus, and was built by Archibald Hood in 1883. It is of two stories, 110 by 36 feet in dimensions. Of the two other buildings, one is of two stories, 50 by no feet, and the other, 25 by no feet, in dimensions. The total floor space occupied by the company, in its main and branch houses, reaches 50,000 square feet, or over one acre.

The employees number five at Columbus, four at McCune, four at Pittsburg and three at Baxter Springs. The stock carried comprises about 350 vehicles or 12 car-loads all the time. This large business is in the hands of capable men, wide awake to business competition and enterprise. George W. Hood, the treasurer of the company was born at Columbus, Kansas, in 1880, and spent two years in the State University of Kansas. He has the oversight of the Columbus house, and gives his immediate attention to the buggy department.

O. E. Skinner, who is the head bookkeeper and cashier, has been with the company about 23 years, and has made its interests his own.

Oscar Crane, manager for the Columbus house has been with the company the same length of time as has Mr. Skinner, and his fidelity is known and appreciated. James Hanson, the genial warehouse foreman, has beeN with the company since 1877, with the exception of seven years, and M. L. Downs has been connected with the business for about 12 years. John C. Broadley, traveling solicitor, has been with the firm, at various times, since 1882. Bruce Wilson is in charge of the seed department of the Columbus house.

The Pittsburg house is under the immediate supervision of Edgar C. Hood, the president of the company, whose head salesman is Mr. Harshman.

The McCune house is in charge of John Martin, an efficient manager. The collecting department is managed by Dan El ledge, who resides at McCune. George E. Rucker is the capable manager of the branch house at Baxter Springs. The most cordial relations exist between the officials and employees of this company, the result being little friction and the greatest prosperity. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 264-265)

TOPPING, WALLACE E.

WALLACE E. TOPPING, a prosperous farmer residing in section 3, township 34, range 22, in Neosho township, Cherokee County, is a man of considerable prominence in the community, and has frequently been called upon to serve in an official capacity. He was born in Barry County, Michigan, May 30, 1861, and is a son of Washington and Emily (Sanders) Topping, and a grandson of Robert Topping. Robert Topping was born in Pennsylvania, and died in Cherokee County, Kansas, in 1884, aged 78 years. He was a farmer by occupation, and operated two sawmills when a resident of Ohio. He later owned 400 acres of land in Michigan, where he lived many years. He was a captain in the State militia of Huron County, Ohio. He married Elizabeth McNutt, who was also born in Pennsylvania, and died in Cherokee County, Kansas, at the age of 70 years. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: Jane (Rork), Alexander and Frank Moore, deceased; Robert J., of Joplin, Missouri; Washington; and two who died in infancy.

Washington Topping was born in Huron County, Ohio, August 5, 1837, and was 17 years of age when he moved with his parents to Barry County, Michigan. He lived there until he enlisted, in 1863, in Company C, 1st Reg., Michigan Mechanics and Engineers, under Captain Robinson and Colonel Yates. They built a bridge across the Tennessee River at Chattanooga during Sherman's "March to the Sea" and there, with 65 foragers for the regiment, boarded a ship for Richmond. Mr. Topping was present in the Grand Review at Washington, at the close of the war. He then went to Nashville, Tennessee, built barracks and worked on the fort for a number of months, and was discharged at Jackson, Michigan, in the fall of 1865. He had learned the trade of a carpenter in Michigan, and followed it three years. On September 10, 1866, with his family, including his father and mother-in-law, he left Michigan for Kansas, driving through in company with many others, there being 36 teams, in all. He located upon his present farm in the northeast quarter of section 18, Lola township, having originally 160 acres. Of this the Indians "head righted" 40 acres, and he has since disposed of 40 acres, leaving him 80 acres at the present time. He had but little money when he came, and a part of this was expended in the purchase of a 5-acre tract of timber, from which he cut the logs with which to build a cabin. It was the first cabin in the county with roof and floor, and also had one door and a window. It was a very fair house, and 15 years elapsed before he replaced it with a good, substantial home. It took four or five years before the sod was broken all over this tract, and the sod crops for some years were poor. At the present time Mr. Topping has about 17 head of stock, and a fine orchard of 400 apple trees. The first orchard set out by him was totally destroyed by fire. He is a member of McGibben Post, G. A. R., and the Settlers' League. He was a Republican in politics for some years, but is now a Populist. Religiously, he is a member of the Christian Church. His first marriage was with Emily Sanders, who was born in Ohio, and died at the age of 59 years. The following children were born to them: Wallace E., Catherine E. (McKinsey), deceased; Charles H., of Hollowell, Cherokee County; and Nettie (Curtis), of Lincoln County, Kansas. Mr. Topping was married a second time, in 1902, wedding Mrs. Martha E. Merryfield, who was born August 4, 1836, and is a daughter of Lorenzo and Eleanor (Rork) Cooley. They were acquainted in their early life and were childhood sweethearts. They drifted apart, and did not meet again until recent years at Abilene, Kansas. This unexpected meeting and renewal of old acquaintance resulted in their union.

Wallace E. Topping was five years of age when he accompanied his parents to Cherokee County, Kansas, and here he received his early mental training. He first attended the old log schoolhouse where they used slab benches, and continued there until the county was districted. He then attended District No. 1 until he was ready to enter high school, which he attended one year, after which the school was organized as the Oswego High School, in which he was a member of the first junior class. Afterwards, he attended the Fort Scott Normal School. At the age of 19 years he began teaching school and continued that for 10 years, his last school being at Sherman City. In politics, he was a Republican until 1890, when he joined the Farmers' Alliance, all of that party's candidates being elected that fall. He was appointed deputy clerk of the District Court under C. R. Bernard, and served two years. Afterwards he was for two years land clerk in the State Auditor's office under Van B. Prather. He was appointed chief clerk under W. H. Morris, of Crawford County, and served two years. During the time he was at Topeka, he owned 80 acres of land; upon his return to Cherokee County, he sold out and purchased his present farm of a little over 160 acres in Neosho township. He conducts a stock farm, and has about 30 head of white-faced cattle.

In 1891, Mr. Topping was joined in marriage with Bird Goodner, born in Sheridan township, September 22, 1871, and a daughter of James J. and Elizabeth Goodner, who came to Kansas in 1864 from Illinois, and located in Cherokee Conuty in 1865. Mr. Goodner was county treasurer of Cherokee County, and afterwards served as county coroner. This union has been blessed by the birth of one daughter,-Crete, aged 12 years. Fraternally, the subject of this sketch is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has been representative to the Grand Lodge. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, in which he has passed through the chairs, and of the A. H. T. A. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 265-266)

DIXON, ZIMRI

ZIMRI DIXON, deceased, was for many years one of the most prominent farmers of Shawnee township, Cherokee County, and to a marked degree commanded the respect and esteem of his fellow men. He was born in Parke County, Indiana, November 2, 1840, and was a son of Eli and Esther (Kelley) Dixon.

Eli Dixon, whose parents came from North Carolina, lived most of his life in Parke County, Indiana, where he followed farming, and where he died when the subject of this sketch was an infant. He married Esther Kelley, who had formerly married Nathan Hunt, and they became the parents of three children,-John, Rhoda and Zimri. Religiously, both were Quakers.

Zimri Dixon was reared on a farm and followed the occupation of a farmer throughout his life. In 1861, he enlisted in Company K, 43d Reg., Indiana Vol. Inf., and served with his regiment about nine months, when he was honorably discharged on account of disability caused by sickness. He returned to Indiana and farmed a place owned by his half-sister, Mrs. Mary Ann (Hunt) Rawlings, until two years after his marriage, when he moved to Kansas and located in the Cherokee Neutral Lands on the place now occupied by his widow. Subsequently, after extended litigation, he was obliged to purchase it of the Kansas City & Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad Company, which had a prior claim to it. He farmed on an extensive scale, and with continued success was enabled to add to his holdings from time to time until at his death he was the owner of 720 acres of valuable land. He probably raised more hay and corn than any other farmer in the township, and also oats, in large quantities. He kept on an average 35 head of cattle and 60 hogs. In 1870 he built a fine, stone residence of seven rooms, the only stone house in Shawnee township. About two years later, he built the fine, large, stone barn, 46 feet square, with a capacity for 100 tons of hay, and 1,000 bushels of grain.

On March 12, 1865, Mr. Dixon was joined in marriage with Emily Atkinson, a daughter of Robert and Polly (Curl) Atkinson, of English origin. Her father was born in Randolph County, North Carolina, where he lived until after his marriage and the birth of his first child, and then moved to Indiana in the fall of 1831. He took a homestead in Parke County and farmed there until 1869, when he came West to Cherokee County, Kansas. He purchased a government claim of 160 acres in Shawnee township, and continued to live upon it until his death, September 23rd 1890, at the age of 88 years. He married Polly Curl, a daughter of George Curl, of Chatham County, North Carolina. Five children were born to them, namely: Sarah Ann, widow of Dempsey Mills, who lives with Mrs. Dixon at present; George, who lives in Parke County, Indiana; John, who lives in Shawnee township; Emily, widow of Zimri Dixon; and Jared, of Roseburg, Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson were of the Quaker faith.

Mr. and Mrs. Dixon became the parents of nine children, eight of whom grew to maturity, as follows: Ella, wife of J. E. Lane, of Empire City, Kansas; Cora, wife of John Wellman, of Shawnee township, Cherokee County; Anna, deceased; Joel, of Scammon, Kansas; Alice, wife of John Isley of Los Angeles, California; Charles, of Shawnee township, Cherokee County; Morton, who lives at home; and Rosa, deceased, who was the wife of J. M. Bass. Religiously, the subject of this sketch was a member of the Society of Friends until he went to the war, and his widow is still a member of that society. Politically, he was a strong Republican, but was never an office holder. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 267-269)

REV. HENRY R. VOLLMAR

REV. HENRY R. VOLLMAR. On the 5th of May, 1898, the community of Williamsburg, Kansas, has called on to mourn the death of Rev. Henry R. Vollmar, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church of that city, and formerly pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Columbus, in this county. He was favorably and well known throughout the South Kansas Conference and in this field held a number of important charges, building churches in different places and, in all, rejuvenating the spiritual life of the membership. In these communities are many noble men and women, whose lives now stand as fitting monuments to the earnest efforts of this godly man.

Rev. Mr. Vollmar was a German by birth, and was born November 4, 1855, in Rhenish Bavaria, Germany. When eight years of age, together with his parents and their family, he came to America, where settlement was first made on a farm in Fulton County, Illinois. Later they removed to Corydon, Iowa, where they continued to live for a time. Of delicate health in his earlier childhood, Henry R. Vollmar became robust after his removal to Iowa. As a youth, however, an attack of measles unsettled his health, and for two years he had a struggle for existence. As a last resort, in company with friends, he made an overland journey to Kansas. This proved beneficial, and he soon recovered his wonted vigor, and, entering the State Normal School at Emporia, pursued a course of study for a period. Again his health failed. This time he recuperated in the Rocky Mountain region, and after two years returned to Iowa, where he became an inmate of the home of his brother Philip, then a minister at Garden Grove. On this brother's advice he entered the academy there and amid these Christian influences developed a state of mind that made clear his call to the ministry. He thereafter directed his study to preparation for his life work, manifesting great talent as a public speaker, and in 1883 he was licensed, and entered upon active work in the South Kansas Conference. To go into details concerning the effective soul-winning efforts of this man of God, during his all too short lifetime, would be but the repetition of the story of successful revival work and church building, as he took up the work in each charge in turn. These physical monuments remain,-at Cecil, his first charge, three churches; a parsonage at Altamont; a needed addition to the church at Columbus ; a fine parsonage at Williamsburg, and a church at the nearby town of Agricola. But his enduring monument, and one which shall stand in the judgment witnessing to his splendid work while in the flesh, is found in the lives of the men and women made more full and complete and Godlike by the magnetic influence which was a part of his spiritual nature. He held many successful revivals, and at Columbus, alone, brought 150 souls into the Kingdom. His charges, in turn, were Cecil, Altamont, Hallowell, Columbus and Williamsburg.

But death "loves a shining mark." The end came all too soon, in all human prescience, to this gifted man. Having rebuilt a parsonage at Williamsburg, he was just entering upon the work of building another church, when he underwent a surgical operation from which he never recovered, dying the afternoon of the same day. Thus ended a beautiful life on earth, to unfold with brighter lustre in the life to come! Truly can it be said of him,-"While he is dead, yet he speaketh." His last audible expressions were a message to his brother Philip, and a prayer to his Master-"Tell Philip it is well with my soul 1" "Oh, I want to go! Come, Lord Jesus, take me!"

Interment was at the old home in Corydon, Iowa, where an aged mother, a brother and four sisters survived him. The funeral services at Williamsburg were conducted by Presiding Elder S. S. Martin, assisted by Revs. J. D. Smith, of Waverly, and M. S. Rice and C. S. Nusbaum, of Ottawa, and participated in by a large concourse of mourning friends.

Rev. Mr. Vollmar is survived by a widow and two daughters.-Pauline and Avis,-his eldest daughter, Fra, having died in September, 1901; the family now resides in Columbus, Mrs. Vollmar, nee Angelia Bishop, was the daughter of Alexander and Almira (Elliott) Bishop, natives of Ohio, who removed to Postville, Iowa, where Mrs. Vollmar was born; thence the family located on a farm in Labette County, Kansas, in 1869. Mr. Bishop was an active and useful citizen of that county for many years, and there Mrs. Bishop died, in 1887. In 1892 Mr. Bishop went to Oklahoma, where he died in 1897, from injuries received in a cyclone at Chandler. Mrs. Vollmar is a graduate of the State Normal School at Emporia. She taught successfully for several years, and at the time of her marriage was first principal of the Oswego schools. Her marriage to Rev. Mr. Vollmar took place at the home of her parents, while Mr. Vollmar was stationed at Cecil, Kansas. She is a woman of much strength of character and during the life of her husband was a splendid helper in his religious work, a field in which she is still a valued and earnest worker. Of fine executive ability, she manages the three farms of which she is possessed, near Columbus, with ease and profit, leasing two and personally supervising a third. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 269-271)

BENNETT, OSCAR H.

OSCAR H. BENNETT. One of that solid class of citizens that Cherokee County is so fortunate in possessing is Oscar H. Bennett, a farmer residing in section 25, township 32, range 25, in Pleasant View township. He claims Vermont as the State of his birth, which occurred in 1852. He is a son of Col. Oren and Harriet (Merrell) Bennett.

Col. Oren Bennett was born in Vermont in 1825. He was a millwright and engineer, and followed these trades about 15 years. A man of intensely patriotic mold, he, at the breaking out of the Civil War, was active in the organization of Union forces. In 1862 he became colonel of the 22d Reg., Missouri Vol. Cav. For three years and seven months he led his regiment, participating in many battles, in one of which he was wounded by a shell, which also killed his horse.

After the war, Colonel Bennett resumed work at his trades at his former home, and in 1866 moved to Jackson County, Kansas, making the trip from Iowa in a large wagon, in company with his wife, and four children,- Oscar, Flora, Alice and Jim. In 1867 the family came to Cherokee County, where they have since lived. The father now lives on an 80-acre farm in Pleasant View township; the mother died in 1903, aged 74 years.

To these parents 10 children were born, of whom Oscar H. is the eldest. Seven are living, as follows: Oscar H.; Flora Jane, born in Vermont, who married James Biggs, of Miami County, Kansas, and has four children,-Clara, Ralph, Lizzie and Flossie; Alice, born in Missouri, who married Joseph Hayes, and is living in Idaho; James Hite, born in Iowa, who married Emma Ward, and has eight children,- Hattie, Henry, Lizzie, Freddie, Carl, Ada, Ernest and May; Fred E., born in Kansas, who married Jessie Williams, lives in Cherokee County, and has four children,-Harry, Frank, Earl and Charles; Edith, born in Kansas, who married Frank Sweany, of Cherokee County, and has five children,-Raymond, Grace, Walter, Blanche and Irene; and Jesse M., born in Kansas, who married Jessie Newton, resides in Cherokee County, and has one child,- Laura.

Oscar H. Bennett was married in 1879, m Cherokee County, Kansas, to Sarah McNier, nee Swinney, a native of Iowa, and a daughter of Delaney and Elizabeth (Webb) Swinney. Her father, a native of the Keystone State, was born in 1828, and died in Kansas in 1882. Mrs. Swinney was born in the Hoosier State in 1830, and is now living in Oklahoma. Mrs. Bennett is one of 14 children, of whom eight are now living, as follows: John W., Sarah (our subject's wife), Malinda, Nancy, Riley, Sinah, Alvaretta, and Fanny. John W. was born in Iowa. His first wife was Tillie McCaffery, who was the mother of Thomas, Lane, Isaac, May, Aul, Pearl, Arthur and Lee. His second wife was Belle Downes, who has one child,-Ora. Malinda was born in Iowa, married James Bear, and is living in Oklahoma. Nancy was born in Iowa, married Zach. Sears, and resides in Kansas; they have these children,-Walter, Calvin, Oscar, Emma, Laura, Roy, Jessie and Annie. Riley was born in Iowa. Sinah, born in Iowa, married William Hearn, and resides in Kansas; they have three children,-Leona, Hattie and Merle. Alvaretta, born in Kansas, married John Maline, and lives in Oklahoma. Fanny, born in Kansas, married Frank Prudom, and lives in Oklahoma.
Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have had eight children, all born in Cherokee County, namely: Mattie (Mrs. James Gilbert), who has one child,-Roy; Etta (Mrs. William Weaver), of Missouri, who has five children,-Lottie, Ray, Albert, Fay and Leola; Flora (Mrs. Bryant Lively), of Arkansas; James; Ninnie; Bessie; Clara; and Johnnie R., who died at the age of 18 months.

The parents of Mr. and Mrs. Bennett were the first to put up houses in Pleasant View township. At that time there was nothing to be seen but prairie, and wild animals, deer, prairie chickens and quail. There was no roads of any kind except the old "Military Road." Here the subject of this sketch and his father followed hunting for a living during 14 years. They made many successful expeditions after quail and prairie chickens, and shipped them to the Eastern markets of St. Louis, Chicago and New York.

Oscar H. Bennett is a Populist in politics, and has held office as township assessor for two years; as constable, for the same period; and as justice of the peace for four years. As a member of the School Board no one has ever been found who was deemed so capable, in every way, as the length of his term testifies; for he has served as clerk of the board for 25 years. He is a member of the A. H. T. A. He and his family are leading factors in the social life of the community, where they have so long resided, and where they are most highly regarded. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 271-272)