"A Bevy of Uniontown Pioneers"
Published in the Uniontown Cicerone, March 1908
Middle row: John H. Hartman, James G. Roush, Count S. Steel, Robert W. Ramsey and Samuel B. Holt Top row: Andrew J. Lasater, James H. Belew, Rev. William Woods, Bennett L. Blackman and Thomas B. Julian John H. Hartman was born in Stokes county, North Carolina, June 23, 1823. Came to Kansas Oct. 10, 1863, to Uniontown April 1, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Hartman now live in the property formerly owned by U. S. Sherman on Sherman street. He has retired from active business. Uncle John and Aunt Martha are enjoying good health at this writing. James G. Roush was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, Sept. 16, 1827. Came to Kansas June 13, 1859, and to Uniontown April 17, 1872. While Mr. Roush is over eighty years of age, he is hale and hearty. Mr. Mr. Roush is living in his old home on Washington street. His daughter, Mrs. Willey, is living with him. Mr. Roush is one of the survivors of the Marmaton massacre, there being only two left. Count S. Steel was born Oct. 30, 1834 in Fort Byron, Cayuga county, New York. Came to Kansas June 16, 1860; to Uniontown March 27th, 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Steel are living in their comfortable home near his shops. We believe Mr. Steel can rightfully claim the distinction of being the oldest active mechanic in Kansas, having worked constantly at his trade for fifty-eight and is still doing carriage work. Mr. Steel is also a lawyer and historian. Robert W. Ramsey was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, August 18, 1826; came to Kansas July 15, 1857 and took a claim on Walnut creek, which is his home, and where he had made his home with the exception of a few years he and his wife had charge of the county poor farm, from which they retired March 1, 1908. Mr. Ramsey took an active part in making the early history of Bourbon county. He and Mr. Roush are the only survivors of the Marmaton massacre of October 22, 1864. He helped carry the bodies in after the massacre. Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey are spending their old days on the farm. Samuel Bronson Holt was born in Hart county, Kentucky, May 22, 1840. Came to Kansas in 1860 and to Uniontown in October, 1907. He took a homestead on Turkey creek, and has lived in that school district for almost half a century, only leaving the farm last fall. Mr. and Mrs. Holt live on Hill street. S. B. Holt is vice president of the bank, and assists in its management. Andrew J. Lasater was born in Macoupin county, Illinois, October 3, 1839. Moved to Bates county, Missouri in 1874; moved to Kansas in 1887 and to Uniontown in 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Lasater are great church workers. They are at this time enjoying the best of health, and are comfortably situated in their home on Sherman street. James Henry Belew was born July 25, 1839 in Calhoun county, Illinois and came to Kansas March 1, 1881. Mr. Belew and his son, bearing the full name of his father, live in a comfortable home on North Washington street. The son is away most of the time, being in the employ of the Missouri Pacific Railway company. Mr. Belew is one of our most highly respected citizens. Rev. William Woods was born in Shawnee Town, Illinois, December 31, 1839. Moved to Kansas in 1885 and to Uniontown the same year. Rev. Woods is our Baptist minister, and has been preaching in this vicinity nearly ever since he came to Kansas. At present, Rev. Woods, his wife and daughter are living in the old Methodist parsonage. Everybody likes this family. Bennett L. Blackman was born in Saline county, Illinois, Nov. 13, 1841. Came to Uniontown Oct. 14, 1906. Mr. Blackman owns the Dr. Halm property, where he, his wife and two daughters make their home. Their home is one of the nicest in Uniontown. Mr. and Mrs. Blackman are taking life easy, and are enjoying good health. Thomas Benton Julian was born in McNara county, Tennessee, Nov. 7, 1843. Came to Bourbon county June 4, 1854; to Uniontown in 1881. During the years Mr. Julian has been with us he has been a merchant, miller, farmer, lawyer and gentleman, having retired from active business. Mr. and Mrs. Julian live in a nice home on Sherman street. Mrs. Julian's reputation as a housekeeper has gone abroad. Both are well and hearty. William S. Gribble, the youngest of this crowd, was born in Spring Run, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, June 25, 1847. Came to Kansas September 18, 1869 and to Uniontown February 1, 1895. As will be seen, Mr. Gribble is a young man, even if he has passed the three score mark. Mr. and Mrs. Gribble own and conduct the West Side hotel; their two youngest daughters live with them. W. S. Gribble and family are a credit to any community. James Wesley Stone was born April 24, 1845 in Washington county, Arkansas; moved to Missouri in 1865; to Bourbon county Oct. 15, 1882 and to Uniontown Nov. 22, 1906. Mr. Stone and son, William, are conducting a confectionery business on the south side of the public square and are doing a good business. If there ever was a man who enjoys life, it is James W. Stone. Austin Howard Ramsey was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, July 28, 1843. Came to Kansas July 15, 1857 and to present home in 1883. Mr. Ramsey is among the oldest settlers now living in Kansas, it being fifty-one years next July since he set his feet on Kansas soil. Mr. Ramsey and wife are spending their old days on their farm a few rods west of town. The farm was homesteaded by his brother, Rev. F. M. Ramsey, of Redfield. Benjamin Franklin Mason was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, Dec. 20, 1844. Came to Kansas June 1, 1858; to Uniontown Sept. 26, 1905. Mr. Mason is our postmaster, and has given the public excellent service. He owns the residence formerly owned by Shannon Jones. Mr. and Mrs. Mason, like most of those mentioned above, are enjoying as good health as could be expected of people nearing the three score and ten mark. |
� 2015 Kansas History and Heritage Project