Wabaunsee County Biographies
Page 13
Biographies below include: Andrew Bell; Rudolph Arndt; S. E. Hull; Michael McWilliams; Frederick L. Raymond; Franz Schmidt; Robert Fix;
Martin Muckenthaler; Albert Francis Thayer; M. W. Janes:
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ANDREW BELL.
Robert Bell was a gardener and botanist of Dumfries Shire, Scotland, and Mrs. Bell was raised in one of the romantic glens of the
highlands of Perth Shire. Mr. Bell, Sr. and wife came to America in
1849, settling in New York, and five years later came to Wisconsin,
and to Kansas in 1878, where, ten years later, Mr. Bell, Sr. died, on
July 24th. Mrs. Robert Bell then lived with her son till her death on
February 6, 1899, when she died at the advanced age of 100 years.
Andrew, the only son, removed with his parents to Wisconsin
when five years of age.
He was raised on the farm, receiving a common school education,
supplemented by one term at an academy. When not engaged in
farming worked at carpentry and blacksmithing. When of age he
went to the Wisconsin pineries where he learned saw-milling and
much about machinery. Came to Kansas in February, 1877, and in
September was married to Miss Rebeka Heberlein, To this happy
union four children were born, three of whom are now living. The
two daughters, Lulu and Bertha, 20 and 17 years of age, respectively,
are graduates of the St. Marys High School, and the son, Andrew,
while but ten years of age, promises to be an expert mechanic, knowing more about the steam engine than the average person at sixty.
With the exception of two years in the grocery business at St.
Marys and a short time in Flagstaff, Arizona, Mr. Bell has lived on his
farm ever since coming to Kansas.
Mr. Bell runs his farm on up-to-date principles. Does mixed farming and has a large irrigating pump for use in dry seasons. He also
runs a large steam thresher and his shop is a model of convenience,
being supplied with all kinds of blacksmith and carpenter's tools,
lathe, and gasoline engine, enabling him to do all his machine repairing. From a financial standpoint Mr.
Bell has made farming a success, having accumulated about $20,000 as the result of industry and
good management.
Has been elected four times trustee of Kaw township and is now
serving the people as county commissioner, receiving, practically, the
unanimous vote of his home township (Kaw), a deserved endorsement
of one of our best and most popular citizens.
RUDOLPH ARNDT
Was born on April 21, 1829, at Koenigsburg, Prussia, coming to
America and to Kansas in September, 1860, locating on the farm where
he has since made his home. For years the Templin settlement was
on the border in its truest sense. It was but a few miles to the Kaw
reserve and that tribe being engaged in constant warfare with the
Pawnees, Cheyennes, and Arapahoes the settlers lived in a state of
apprehension by reason of possible raids from either the Kaws or the
more hostile and aggressive tribes of the plains. The old stone fort
(see page 113) was built in anticipation of one of these possible raids.
Inasmuch as a war party of Cheyennes appeared in sight of Council
Grove as late as 1868 it will be readily seen that the fears of the settlers about Templin were not entirely groundless. During the summer of that year while Mr. Adolph Zeckser was on a visit with friends
at Templin he was surprised to find the Arndt home deserted. The
doors were wide open but nobody at home. Nobody at home at Fettings. But going to the Wolgast home the mystery was explained.
The settlers had gathered together for protection from an expected
raid. The men were all moulding bullets and the women were there
to assist in case they could be of service. The old stone fort was still
standing and here the settlers repaired when night came. The storm
blew over but the Kaws at the Grove didn't get off without a fight.
At the Grove, too, the women and children were hustled into the
Mission building for protection. Three years later the smallpox left a
trail of death in the Templin settlement, invading among other homes
that of Mr. Arndt.
In the years gone by Rudolph's influence was always sought in the
heat of political campaigns. Though never seeking office himself he
was always ready to lend a helping hand to his friends. He is a man
of influence with his neighbors, warm-hearted by nature and is ever
anxious to welcome a friend beneath his hospitable roof.
S. E. HULL
Was born in Marion county, Ohio, on February 4, 1842. Was
united in marriage to Miss Pheribee Martin, on December 27, 1866.
Came to Kansas in the fall of 1877, locating on the farm he now owns,
near Eskridge. On May 9, 1861, enlisted as a musician in Co. C, 26th
Ohio Infantry, re-enlisting in January, 1864. Participated in engagements at Shiloh, Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Atlanta, Franklin, and thence to Texas, where he was mustered out at
Victoria, in October, 1865, having served 4 years, 6 months, and 7 days.
Mr. Hull was nine times elected trustee of Wilmington township and
served the people two years as sheriff, showing himself to be a capable
and efficient officer, having, during his term, been put to the most rigid
tests by some of the slickest prisoners ever confined in the Alma jail.
As a band leader he has few equals and no superior � the Alma Volunteer band furnishing
an excellent example of what can be accomplished by skill, untiring energy, and persistent application. In June,
1901, Mr. Hull took charge of the New Commercial House in Alma
and by his tact, good judgment, and genial manner has made his hotel
one of the popular stopping places on the line of the Rock Island.
MICHAEL McWILLIAMS
Was born in County Derry, Ireland, on March 5, 1829, coming to
America in May, 1854, and to Kansas in 1868, locating on the farm
where he now resides. Was married February 22, 1876, to Miss Maria
McDonald, at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, at St.
Marys, Kansas, three sons and a daughter coming to bless a pleasant
home.
Besides "Pete and Henry"� Reding and Ronneau, Mr. McWilliams was the first white settler in what is now Kaw township. But
he had plenty of neighbors � all Pottawatomies. Mr. McWilliams was
for years one of the most influential men of Kaw township and though
73 years of age hasn't lost his interest in matters pertaining to the
welfare of the people. Looks twenty years younger than is shown by
the family record and is as spry as a man of fifty.
FREDERICK L. RAYMOND
Was born August 11, 1851, on a farm at Westboro, Worcester
county, Massachusetts. After attending the town schools and the
high school, he spent two years at Wesleyan Academy, at Wilbraham,
Mass. After being employed two years in a wholesale canned goods
house in Boston came West and settled eleven miles northeast of
Colorado Springs to try his luck with sheep. As the western terminus
of the Santa Fe Railway at that time was at Granada (the west line of
Kansas) and there was a stage ride of about 150 miles to Colorado
Springs that made the country rather new to a New England boy
the romance soon wore off. Having a chance to close out he drifted
to Kansas, arriving at Wamego, May 31, 1874, and the next day drove
down through the Mill creek valley, and soon located in Maple Hill
township, where he has since resided. On the building of the Rock
Island through the farm Mr. Raymond was instrumental in securing
a flag station and postoffice that was named Vera. Mr. Raymond was
elected county commissioner in 1880, and representative in the state
legislature in 1884. Was a capable and popular official. Is happily
married, has an interesting family, owns one of the best farms in the
Mill creek valley, and in an enviable degree enjoys the esteem and
confidence of his fellows.
FRANZ SCHMIDT
Was born in Bayern, Germany, on January 27, 1824. Was married
in May, 1850, to Miss Lidwina Eschay. Came to America in 1855, stopping for awhile at Covington, Kentucky, coming in the spring to
Kansas, locating in the Mill creek valley just west of Alma. This
was a new country then, game being plentiful everywhere � plenty of
turkeys in the timber and the deer were so tame that they could frequently be seen feeding with the cattle. Mr. Schmidt has always
been a generous contributor to the Catholic church, of which he has
been a life-long and consistent member. Was made an honorary member of the hederkranz in recognition of generous concessions to the
society, their handsome grounds being located on his holdings near the
City of Alma. Mr. Schmidt owns a fine farm of 640 acres adjoining
the townsite of Alma and his residence is one of the many handsome
stone buildings for which Alma is noted.
ROBERT FIX
Was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, March 5, 1837, coming
with his father, Michael Fix, to the farm, near Volland, in the fall of
1856. Enlisted July 1, 1861, in Co. D, 20th Indiana Infantry and reenlisted July 12, 1865, in Co. K, the 7th, 14th, and 19th having been
consolidated. Was sent to Fort Hatteras, but returned to Fortress
Monroe in time to witness the engagement between the Monitor and
the Merrimac. The regiment was encamped at Newport News,
within 300 yards of where the Congress was burned and sunk and but
half a mile from where the Cumberland went down. Participated in
the seven days fight, the campaign closing with the battle of Malvern
Hill.
In 1865, Mr. Fix was married in Indiana, to Miss Rebecca Larch.
Besides the father and mother, eight handsome daughters compose
the Fix family (see illustration); named from left to right, as follows:
Mrs. Mamie Brasche, Mrs. Alice Cromer, Mrs. Lida Home, Misses
Pearl, Laura, Emma, Mabel, and Clara.
Mr. Fix owns a fine farm of 1,000 acres near Volland, besides much
other property in Alma and Alta Vista one of the handsomest country homes in the county (see illustration). Has served the people two
years as county commissioner, making one of our county's most popular officials. His library is well supplied with the works of the best
authors, as well as current literature of the day, enabling Mr. Fix to
keep well posted on the issues before the people.
MARTIN MUCKENTHALER
Was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, on January 2, 1825. In
March, 1858, was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Eba. Left for
America on March 4, 1854 � was 52 days on the water. Located in
Minnesota, where he lived fifteen years, thirty miles south of St. Paul.
Came to Kansas in 1859, settling on the Pottawatomie reserve, that
had a short time before been thrown open to settlement. To Mr. and
Mrs. Muckenthaler were born fourteen children, eight of whom are
still living. Mrs. Muckenthaler died November 13, 1890, since which
time Mr. Muckenthaler has made his home with his daughter, Mrs.
Lizzie Hesse.
Those who know Mr. Muckenthaler best will readily recognize in
his portrait the kindly face of one of Wabaunsee county's best and
leading citizens. Devout and consistent as a Christian, honorable
and conscientious as a man, an obliging neighbor and a loving father,
Mr. Muckenthaler occupies a warm place in the hearts of the people.
ALBERT FRANCIS THAYER
Was born in Boston, Massachusetts, September 4, 1840. His
mother dying when he was but nine months old he was adopted by an
uncle. Attended the public schools in Boston, graduating from the
Dwight school at the age of fifteen and enrolled as a pupil of the
English high school but his brother induced him to accept a position
in his grocery store, where he remained three years. Was manager
and collector for the Equitable Safety Insurance Co. until 1862, when
he enlisted as a private in Co. E, 44th Mass. Volunteers. Was afterwards promoted to be 2nd sergeant. As a mark of appreciation the
Insurance Co. presented him with $300, coupled with the promise of
his old position at the close of his enlistment� nine months. The
promise was fulfilled to the letter and Mr. Thayer retained his position until by reason of severe marine losses the company was compelled
to suspend business. After filling various positions of trust, among
others that of secretary and treasurer of the Huron Copper Mining
Co.; secretary of the Alabama & Chattanooga R. R. Co. (which company built the road from Chattanooga, Tenn., to New Orleans, La.);
treasurer of the Boston Water Power Co., Mr. Thayer came to Kansas
� first, on a visit that revealed the beauties of our state and created
the desire to own a home in Kansas. The purchase of the fine farm
of 320 acres in Maple Hill township was the result of that visit of Mr.
and Mrs. Thayer to his wife's sister, Mrs. W. S. Crouch, of Maple Hill.
Mr. Thayer moved with his family, in December, 1874, but after several years on the farm accepted a position with his old employers (at
their urgent request) to take charge of the construction of 40 miles of
the Fort Scott & Wichita R. R. � building, ironing, and equipping the
road from Ft. Scott to Iola in less than 3 months. While on a visit to
Boston was. offered and accepted the position of private secretary to
Hon. Thos. Nickerson, former president of the Santa Fe R. R., but at
that time engaged in building the Atlantic and Pacific, the Sonora,
Southern California, and Mexican Central lines of railroad. But with
a few months of confinement came the desire to again breathe the
free air of Kansas.
Mr. Thayer is well known in political circles, having served many
times as chairman and secretary of Republican and Populist conventions. Has served the people of his home township � Maple Hill � one
term as trustee, has filled the office of district clerk for over 20 years,
and the position of superintendent of the Sunday school at the Eliot
church, of Maple Hill, for three years, and treasurer of the church
and cemetery for eight years, and is still one of the trustees of the
church, having held the position many years. On December 10, 1867,
Mr. Thayer was happily married to Miss Ellen Frances Cheney, of
Newton, Mass. Four children were born to this union, two of whom
are still living, Mrs. Eleanor T. Brett, and Mr. Ellis C. Thayer. Mr.
Thayer is a man of honest convictions and an earnest advocate of
what he believes to be right � the essential requisites of good citizen-
ship.
M. W. JANES
Was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, July 22, 1841, but the
greater part of his life prior to coming to Kansas was spent at Erie,
Pennsylvania, the birthplace of his parents, and where many of his
relatives resided. Attended the common schools until fourteen years
of age, when he entered Allegheny College, at Meadville, Pa., where
he remained two years, completing the course in mathematics. Mr.
Barker was president of the faculty. Board was two dollars a week.
There were but few "extras" on the bill of fare but plenty of "substantiate." After a term at Bryant & Stratton's Mercantile College,*
at Buffalo, N. Y., Mr. Janes accepted a position as bookkeeper for S.
N. Scatcherd, an extensive lumber dealer in Buffalo. After one year
with this firm returned to Erie, where he kept books for his father,
who was extensively engaged in the lumber business all along the
lakes. Enlisted in the first regiment raised at Erie under the three
months call in 1861. Was appointed assistant commissary for the
regiment, which was ordered to Pittsburg, where a large number of
soldiers were encamped. Also acted as assistant commissary for the
camp, under Major Derickson. of Meadville, Pa. Before the battle of
Bull's Run the regiment was mustered out. Went to the oil country
where his father had extensive interests. After remaining here for
seven years came West, and, after looking at a good deal of country
located in the northeast part of Wabaunsee county, and has never
regretted his choice of location. Owns an excellent farm of 1,400 acres
with a frontage of two miles on the Kaw river, with the best of
water, soil, and timber. Is fifteen miles west of Topeka, on the Rock
Island � near Willard� and three miles from Rossville, on the Union
Pacific. Mr. Janes is an extensive raiser of Hereford cattle and trotting bred horses, many of which have made more than creditable
records on the race courses in different parts of the country.
While not a politician, Mr. Janes has taken a keen interest in
matters affecting the interests of the people, especially at such times
as the conditions were out of joint. Has always been regarded as one
of Wabaunsee county's leading citizens and is ever at the front in
forwarding public enterprises.
*Mr. Spencer, father of the Spencerian System of Penmanship,
was one of the instructors at this college and a great many times has
sat by Mr. Janes' desk giving instructions in penmanship. Mr. Janes'
penmanship, today, is an excellent endorsement of Mr. Spencer's work
as an instructor.
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This website created July 10, 2011 by Sheryl McClure.
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