Clay Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-William Lyman
Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890
WILLIAM LYMAN. Among the well regulated
homes of Goshen Township, that of
Mr. Lyman is worthy of due mention.
He is a farmer in easy circumstances, having
his land under a good state of cultivation and
embellished with suitable and convenient buildings.
The dwelling is attractive within and without, and
with its surroundings very nearly approaches the
popular idea of the complete rural home.
We find Mr. Lyman many leagues from his
birthplace, he having first opened his eyes to the
light in Windsor County, Vt., April 14, 1814. He
was reared on a farm among the hills of the Green
Mountain State, and attended the district school
during his boyhood and youth, remaining a resident
of his native county until a young man of
twenty-three years. He was then married in April,
1837, to Miss Abbie B., daughter of Rev. Dr. Elmeriah
Chandler, and soon afterward with his young
wife set out for New York State, locating in Cattaraugus,
where he worked as a carpenter until
1852. Then, resolving to seek the farther West,
he made his way to Wisconsin locating in
Grant County, and purchased land upon which he
farmed and worked at his trade until the fall of
1878. His next removal was to Clay County, Kan.,
when he purchased 320 acres of land, including the
100 where he now lives. He parted with 160
acres when his son Odella J. started out for himself.
This farm was considerably improved at the
time of its purchase by Mr. Lyman. Besides this
he has 240 acres in Chickasaw County, Iowa.
When married Mr. Lyman was without means,
lint he was fortunate in the selection of a partner,
and through their combined efforts they soon found
themselves upon the high road to prosperity. After
becoming the mother of ten children this excellent
lady departed this life Jan. 31, 1875. These children
were named respectively, Corinthia (deceased),
Samantha, Augusta, Armaria, Charles, a practising
physician (deceased); William A., a minister of the
Congregational Church and preaching in Dakota;
Lilly and Ella, deceased; Odella J. and Frank, deceased.
Mrs. Lyman had been a consistent member
of the Congregational Church for many years,
and in that faith triumphantly passed away. She
was greatly beloved by her family and friends for
her uniform kindness of heart and her conscientious
adherence to duty and principle. She is one
of those whose names will be long held in tender
remembrance.
In 1877, Mr. Lyman contracted a .second marriage
with Mrs. Jane (Patch) Curtis, of Wisconsin.
This lady was the widow of Isaac Curtis, and the
daughter of Elijah.Patch, a native of Connecticut.
Her parents spent their last years in Wisconsin.
Mr. Lyman held the office of Justice of the Peace
for four years in New York, and served one year
I as overseer of the poor in . New York. He may
properly be termed a self-made man, having commenced
in life dependent upon his own resources
and receiving no financial assistance from any one.
Without perhaps being the hero of any thrilling
event, he has pursued the even tenor of his way,
earning for himself the reputation of a peaceable
and law-abiding citizen, who has always exercised
a healthy influence in his community.
The parents of our subject were Jabez and Lois
(Johnson) Lyman, natives of Connecticut, where
they were reared and married. Later they removed
to Vermont, where they reared their children
and spent their last days, passing away at the
ages of seventy-five and seventy-six respectively.
All the grandparents of Mr. Lyman were natives
of Connecticut, where they spent their entire lives
dying at a ripe old age.
Rev. Dr. Emeriah Chandler was born in Vermont,
and was one of the prominent lights of the
Congregational Church, in which he labored for
many years. He was very fortunate in the selection
of a life partner, his wife being a Lady possessing
all the Christian virtues and one who
proved a most efficient assistant in the labors which
her husband voluntarily assumed in the Master's
vineyard. There were born to them eight children,
of whom Abbie B., Mrs. Lyman, was the
fourth child.