Wabaunsee County Biographies
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Biographies below include: S. G. Cantrill; George A. Fechter; F. W. Steinmeyer; Allen Phillips; George S. Connell; W. H. Lyons; August Utermann; Joseph Treu; Samuel Weed;
Alden Treu; A. A. Jones; John Peterson; Waldo G. Burrows
S. G. CANTRILL
Was born April 15, 1849, at Snow Hill, Ohio. Came to Kansas,
September 5, 1869, locating on Dragoon creek, two miles west of
Harveyville. On July 4, 1872, was united in marriage to Miss Augusta
Burroughs, to which union two children were born: Ora and Orville.
Mr. Cantrill owns nearly 3,000 acres of the best farming land in
Wabaunsee county, well improved and adapted to stock raising, his
favorite employment, Mr. Cantrill being one of the most extensive
dealers in stock in the county. Came to the country when it was new
and by industry and good management has secured a place in the
front ranks of those on whom Fortune has smiled from the beginning.
But few men are more favorably known and none more highly
esteemed than Squire Cantrill.
GEORGE A. FECHTER
Was born October 7, 1879, at Eppingen, Germany. Came to America with his parents when but two years of age, the family locating on
West branch. Was educated in the common schools. At the age of
17 accepted a clerkship in a store in Alma, and after four years of
efficient service went to Topeka, where he has launched out into
business on his own account. The portrait shows Mr. Fechter as he
appeared at the age of 21. The face bears the impress of a strong
character and indicates a spirit of energy and perseverance that is
bound to win success.
H. W. STEINMEYER
Is a Wabaunsee county boy, having been born in Farmer township,
July 9, 1866. Received a sound educational training in the common
schools of the county. On August 3, 1895, was united in marriage to
Miss Carrie E. Droege, three children being born to this union:
Mildred, Cordelia, and Irene. Mr. Steinmeyer is the owner of a fine
farm of 320 acres and besides shipping a car load of prime cattle and
hogs occasionally, is a breeder of Duroc Jersey swine, his Egypt Valley
herd being the best of the kind in the country. The illustration
speaks for itself � commendatory of the owner's persevering effort and
success in reaching the topmost round of the ladder in his particular
branch. Mr. Steinmeyer always has a few choice lots on sale, and the
number of shipments made furnish the best proof of the growing
popularity of his herd.
MR. ALLEN PHILLIPS (Dec'd)
Was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, June 12, 1819. Received an
excellent educational training in the schools of his native city. On
March 3, 1836, was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Graham, ten
children being born to this union, seven of whom are still living:
Levi, now at El Reno, Oklahoma; Nancy Jane Ralston, of Washington; Mrs. Mary E. Walker, Paxico; James, in Oklahoma; Allen A., of
Vera; William, in California, and Mrs. Martha Higbee, of Fairbury,
Illinois. Before coming to Kansas, Mr. Phillips had resided in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin, and had made two overland trips to California, once with cattle in 1850, and again with a drove of horses in
1864. In 1868, Mr. Phillips came to Wabaunsee county, being among
the first settlers after the opening of the Pottawatomie reserve. Was
one of the five men who laid out the town of Newbury, and had aid
been granted the Santa Fe Railway, Newbury would today rank
among the largest cities. in Kansas west of the Missouri river. Mr.
Phillips was a man of strong personal character, owned a thousand
acres of land and was one of the largest farmers and most extensive
wheat raisers in the county. Was county commissioner in the years
1872 and 1873, and was always at the front in the advancement of any
public enterprise. (See notes of June 30, 1878, when Mr. and Mrs.
Phillips, without a moments warning were called home�in life,
esteemed by everyone, and their death universally regretted.
W. H. LYONS
Was born October 14, 1842, in New York City. Came to Kansas
in April, 1865. November 4, 1869, was united in marriage to Miss
Margaret Mahan. One daughter, Mrs. Bertha Martin, being born to
this union. In 1867 Mr. Lyons was appointed deputy sheriff by J. H.
Pinkerton, serving two years. Was also deputy under Sheriffs Herrick,
Gardner, Russell, and Palenske � some of his early experiences as an
official being among the most exciting periods of the county's
history� see page 241. Served several terms as city marshal. During
the Civil War was corporal in Co. B, 11th New York infantry, and has
served several terms as Commander of Ed. Lines Post of the G. A. R.
at Alma. Mr. Lyons is a carpenter by trade, and though in his 60th
year, would pass muster as twenty years younger. But Mrs. Lyons is
the older pioneer, having lived on the borders of the Pottawatomie
reserve when the settlers slept in their corn fields from choice at a
time when "Dutch Bill" was supplying the Indians with firewater of
his own manufacture. Mrs. Lyons tells of Grifenstein's air castles �
how through the tact and the protection afforded by his Cheyenne
wife, he expected to amass a fortune* big enough to enable him to
live at his ease � without the wife's further assistance. He discarded
his Cheyenne bride for Chief Burnett's daughter, and died with
barely enough of this world's wealth to insure the once millionaire a
decent burial.
*In 1864, while Grifenstein with his Cheyenne wife was on a visit
with old friends in Alma and vicinity he would relate how his shrewd
wife would trade cups of sugar for fifty dollar bills� the Indian holders
not knowing the difference between a one dollar bill and a fifty.
Query; Where did the Indians get the fifty dollar bills? Let the
ghosts of the lone freighters who met their death on the banks of the
Walnut in 1864 give answer. (See "A Timely warning," pages 136-138).
GEO. S. CONNELL
Was born February 17, 1839, in Aurora, Indiana. In August,
1862, enlisted in the 10th Kentucky Cavalry and was mustered out in
September, 1863. On July 1, 1866, was united in marriage to Miss
Margaret A. Nighbert, to which union six children were born, four of
whom survive: Mrs. Cora Kasson, Mrs. Hattie Kasson, Joseph and
Jethro. Though for years a resident on the Snokomo, Mr. and Mrs.
Connell now reside in Paxico, where he is passing his declining
years, enjoying the esteem of all.
AUGUST UTERMANN
Was born in Westphalia, Germany, December 25, 1857. A good
educational training in the public school was supplemented by a course
at the Agricultural college of Westphalia. Came to America in February, 1877, stopping in Wisconsin till the following November, when
he came to Kansas, locating in Lyon county. In 1884 came to Alma,
where he has since resided. In 1888 was united in marriage to Miss
Mary Undorf, three daughters being born to this union: Maria,
Augusta and Sophia. Ever since coming to Alma Mr. Utermann has
been engaged in the livery business. Has built up a good trade and
has a constantly increasing patronage.
MR. JOSEPH TREU (Dec'd)
Was born in Gottingen, Germany, June 22, 1833. Came to
America in 1850, enlisting soon after in the regular army, serving on
the border under General Harney in several campaigns against the
Sioux Indians. Was in the engagement at Ash Hollow and for a
time was stationed at Fort Laramie, protecting the overland traffic
to Salt Lake and California. Came to Wabaunsee county in 1857, and
on April 20, 1859, was united in marriage to Miss Catharine Klein, to
which union seven children, three sons and four daughters were born:
Mr. Treu received the benefit of a collegiate education and was
eminently fitted for the many official positions he was called on to fill
during his lifetime. Besides township and school district offices, he
served the people eight years as county commissioner and two years as
representative in the state legislature� filling each and every position
with credit to himself and honor to his constituents. On April 27,
1901, an eventful life was closed � a man, beloved by the people, one
whom they delighted to honor, had gone to rest.
SAMUEL R. WEED
Was born in Marblehead, Massachusetts, February 21, 1832. Came
to Kansas in the fall of 1850. Received the benefit of a collegiate
education at Wilbraham, Massachusetts, thoroughly fitting himself
from an educational standpoint, for the battle of life. In 1861, Mr.
Weed was elected register of deeds. In 1862, 1864, and 1866, was
elected clerk of the district court. In 1865, was elected county treasurer, and in 1867 was elected to the offices of county clerk, register of
deeds, and surveyor, and in 1868, district clerk and representative.
The battle of life was on. The county had no safe in those days, but
the old settlers will tell you there was no need of a safe � Sam carried
the funds in his vest pocket. In those days the office sought the man
and Mr. Weed was found as many as three times in a single campaign
� holding as many as five offices at one and the same time. But there
were no newspapers then and consequently no kicking. Mr. Weed's
portrait is from a photograph taken while a member of the legislature.
Today, he is the same genial "Sam" as of old - kind hearted to the
core, and brimming full of reminiscences of Auld Lang Syne. May
he live long to relate them.
ALDEN E. TRUE
Was born in West Corinth, Orange county, Vermont, June 7, 1845.
Good educational training in the common schools was supplemented
by a two years course in the seminary at New Hampton, New Hampshire. In 1870, Mr. True came to Kansas, locating on the farm in
Newbury township, where he has since resided. In January, 1878, was
united in marriage to Miss Marcia L. Castle, to which union two sons
and two daughters were born. The many evidences of good will and
confidence reposed in Mr. True by the people are indicated by the fact
that he has served one year as township clerk, three years as trustee
and more than, twenty years as a member of the school board. Was
three years county commissioner and for four years was state senator;
filled each and every office with credit to himself and honor to the
people he represented in the full meaning of the term. As senator, Mr.
True was especially interested in securing liberal appropriations for
state and educational institutions, believing that the people and the
state are insured the best returns from funds thus expended. Mr. True
owns one of the neatest country homes in the county (see illustration),
located near the center of a fine farm of 965 acres. Is one of our most
influential citizens and is universally esteemed� a fact too often
proven to admit of successful contradiction, and a statement in no
danger of being challenged.
A. A. JONES
Was born November 18, 1844, at Syracuse, Ohio. On October 22,
1865, was united in marriage to Miss Maria Lanius, to which union
seven children were born: Cora, Sheldon, Ed., Clyde, Nettie, Pearl,
and Ellice. Mr. Jones owns a fine farm of 320 acres, at Bradford, the
J. M. Meredith homestead, where he is engaged in mixed farming and
stock raising. Has attained success by years of industry, good management and up-to-date methods. Has an interesting family and a
pleasant home, and enjoys the esteem of all.
JOHN PETERSON
Was born in Denmark, December 5, 1833. Came to America in
1863, locating in Connecticut. In 1870, came to Kansas, settling on a
homestead three miles northwest of Eskridge, where he lived until
his death, on June 17, 1894, at the age of 64 years. But few men have
fought the battle of life against greater odds than did Mr. Teterson.
To the young men of today he set an example that they might well
consider. With a determination to win he knew no such word as fail.
He started literally at the bottom of the ladder but before the end
came had left his family located in a comfortable home. At first he
dug into the bank for a place to rest at night, from the laborious
employment in which he always engaged during the day. He quarried
rock and wheeled them to the place selected for a home on a wheelbarrow of his own make. For mortar he used clay, and when the
walls had reached the proper height a roof of sod was laid to shed the
rain and snow. The quarters were comfortable, not elegant, maybe,
but � it was home. But provisions must be had. He had no money,
but strong arms, and with these he sought employment at Topeka.
The provisions earned by hard labor were wheeled home on that home-made wheelbarrow. To say that John Peterson succeeded in gaining
a competency for himself and family would be superfluous. Christiana Peterson died June 5, 1894, at the age of 60 years. To Mr. and
Mrs. Peterson eight children were born, six of whom are living: H.
P., Mary, John, Samuel, Curtis, and Fred. If the children but follow
the example of their worthy parents success is theirs, and happiness
and contentment, as well.
WALDO G. BURROUGHS
Was born in New York, November 7, 1846. Came to Kansas in
1869. On November 15, 1876, was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E.
Cantrill, to which union four children were born: Lilly, Leona, Edna
and Allie. Owns 160 acres of good land on which he erected one of
the coziest farm homes in Wabaunsee county, planned by his worthy
helpmate, whose ability as an architect is proven by practical demonstration in a practical way. A part of Mr. Burroughs' farm was the
John Meredith homestead. The original claim house was an 8x10
frame, in which a part of the first term of school in Dist. 27 was
taught by Marion Meredith. The house wasn't very big but several
pupils from outside districts could have been accommodated, if there
had been any outside districts. Sunday school was held here, and,
occasionally, Mr. Joseph Hughes exhorted and Mr. W. S. McCormick
preached. Near at hand is a hole of water where, in 1870, Mr. McCormick baptized a half dozen converts to the faith that brings solace to
the soul, buoys up the frail body while here, and fits us for that better
life beyond the grave.
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