Dickinson Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and
Biographical Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and
Marion Counties-True W. Meserve
Portrait and Biographical
Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion
Counties
Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893
TRUE W. MESERVE, a highly respected citizen
of Dickinson County, who follows
general farming on section 27, Garfield
Township, is one of the worthy men that the Empire
State has furnished to Kansas. He was born
in Ogden, Monroe County, N. Y., April 12, 1828,
and is of French ancestry. His paternal grandfather
was Captain of a privateer on the sea during
the Revolutionary War, in which he had many
encounters with the British, and he afterward narrated
many thrilling incidents connected with
voyages that extended over a period of more than
fifty years.
The parents of our subject were born in New
Hampshire and in an early day removed to New
York State, where they settled near Rochester.
Our subject had good educational advantages until
he was fifteen years old, when he accompanied
his parents in their removal to Northeastern Indiana,
then a sparsely-settled country. There his
time was fully occupied in clearing land, and he
endured all the privations incident to life in a
new country. In his early manhood he was urged
to teach in the district where he lived, and with
many misgivings he consented to undertake to
teach the school, which had about fifty pupils.
However, he gave entire satisfaction and his labors
as a teacher were quite successful. His wages
were $12 per month, which sum he collected from
the patrons of the school.
In those early days Mr. Meserve was honored
with many positions of confidence by his fellow
citizens.
During the Civil War he was unable to
shoulder a musket and go to the front, on account
of his aged parents, who depended upon him for
their support, but his heart was in the cause and
he aided the Union in every way possible. At one
time, in order to save his township from a draft,
he raised $3,000 and secured men to make out the
required quota. At another time he raised $1,200
for the same purpose, and thereby avoided a draft.
This was done without being required to give any
security for the faithful performance of these duties
on his part. He now recalls with pleasure the
confidence placed in him during that critical period
of our nation's history.
Mr. Meserve has been twice married. In De-
Kalb County, Ind., on the 16th of October, 1849,
he was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary Ann
Stearns, a native of Richland County, Ohio, born
July 7, 1832. They became the parents of two
children: William H., and Mary Ann, who was the
wife of James Cass, and died in Kansas City, Mo.,
February 7, 1878. Mrs. Meserve departed this
life in Steuben County, Ind., September 21, 1852,
and our subject was again married in De Kalb
County, that State. On the 16th of January, 1854,
he was married to Miss Atline S. Stearns, whose
birth occurred in Richland County, Ohio, February
18, 1837. Five children have been born
of the second union, but James and True W. died
in childhood. Those yet living are Ida O., wife
of George Niles; John D. and Frank E.
For many years Mr. Meserve made his home in
Indiana. It was in 1870 that he came to Kansas,
locating in Rossville, Shawnee County. He built
the first frame house in that place and there resided
until 1878. In the spring of that year he
sold out and came to Dickinson County, locating
in Newbern Township, where he made his home
until the fall of 1883. Since that time he has resided
upon his present farm on section 27, Garfield
Township. Farming has been his chief occupation
through life and he now owns one hundred
and sixty acres of good land. His business career
has been a prosperous one and he has now a comfortable
competence.
Mr. Meserve has taken quite a prominent part
in public affairs wherever he has resided and has
been an office-holder since attaining his majority.
He held the office of Township Trustee for six
years while living in Shawnee County, and was
also Justice of the Peace for three years. After
coming to this county he filled the office of Trustee
of Newbern Township for a year, and was Justice
of the Peace for four years. He again held the
first-named office, after coming to Garfield Township,
for three years, and has been Justice of the
Peace for five years. With promptness and fidelity
he discharged his public duties, which fact
caused his re-election and won him the commendation
of all concerned.
Mr. Meserve and his estimable wife take an active
part in religious work and are consistent members
of the Baptist Church. He has served as Superintendent
of the Sunday-school for more than
forty years and his influence over the young
minds has certainly been productive of much good.
His life is worthy of emulation in many respects,
and in his declining years, in looking back over
the past, he need feel no regret for wasted opportunities
or misspent time.
(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure for
Dickinson County KS AHGP