Dickinson Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and
Biographical Album of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and
Marion Counties-David Porter Wagner
Portrait and Biographical
Album of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion
Counties
Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893
DAVID PORTER WAGNER, an honored
veteran of the late war, who owns and
operates a good farm on section 17, Center
Township, Dickinson County, is pleasantly
located within a half-mile of Enterprise, to
the north. He was born in Columbia County, Pa.,
November 20, 1840, and is a son of Isaac and
Susanna (Hess) Wagner, natives of the Keystone
State and representative of early families of Pennsylvania.
Our subject was reared in his native county,
where he remained until his enlistment in the
United States service at Harrisburg, in 1862. He
became a member of the Third Pennsylvania Artillery,
and was in the middle department on the
James River. While on duty on the gunboat
"Jessup," he had charge of the magazine. All of
the troops were captured and sent to Libby Prison,
where all died. His being in charge of the magazine
prevented him from being captured. He
served eleven months on a gunboat, and was afterward
detailed as one of ten men to attend Gen.
Butler on his headquarters boat, and with him he
went on the Ft. Fisher expedition. He afterward
became Orderly for Gen. Ord, in whose service he
remained until after the surrender of Lee. Subsequently
he returned to his regiment at Fortress
Monroe, and was there as a guard over Jefferson
Davis, Clay and Mitchell, standing guard in the
cell of the famous rebel who was President of the
Southern Confederacy.
On the close of the war, Mr. Wagner received his
discharge, in June. 1865, and returned to Pennsylvania,
where he worked for his brother for a year,
and later spent one year in Illinois. He then spent
six months in Iowa, and afterward engaged in farm
farming
for seven years in Boone County, Iowa. During
that time he was married, on the 16th of September,
1869, the lady of his choice being Miss
Agnes S. Young, of Boone County. She was a
native of Ohio, but was taken to Iowa when two
years old. Her parents, George D. and Caroline
(Rider) Young, were natives of Pennsylvania and
Virginia, respectively.
Unto our subject and his wife have been born
the following children: Elizabeth, now the wife
of Harry Keller, of Dickinson County; Henry;
Frank; Carrie; Reuben, who died in childhood;
Edwin, who died in infancy; Jessie and Howard.
In 1875, Mr. Wagner came with his family to
this county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres
of his present farm at $10 per acre. It has
since been his home, and it now comprises one
hundred and eighty-two acres. Wheat and corn
are his principal products, and he feeds between
two and three hundred hogs. A fine bearing orchard
contains three hundred apple trees and
other fruit. The many improvements upon the
farm, its well-tilled fields and neat appearance, all
indicate the thrift and enterprise of the owner.
In politics, Mr. Wagner is a supporter of the Democratic
party, and, socially, is a member of the
Grand Army of the Republic. Himself and wife
hold membership with the Reformed Church, and
are highly respected citizens of the community.
Their pleasant home is conveniently situated a half-mile
north of Enterprise, and is the abode of hospitality.
Mr. Wagner was a faithful soldier, and
is alike true to every duty of citizenship.
(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure for
Dickinson County KS AHGP