Biographies of Cherokee County Residents

HOUSHOLDER, M. A.

HON. M. A. HOUSHOLDER, whose popularity in Cherokee County has been repeatedly emphasized by his election to high and responsible public offices, has resided here since 1880. For the last 12 years he has ably and honorably held the position of Senator from the Tenth Senatorial District, and is equally well known to the citizens of Columbus and Cherokee County, as a lawyer, merchant and breeder of some of the finest cattle ever exhibited from this portion of the State. Senator Housholder was born June 13, 1852, on his father's farm, in Darke County, Ohio, and is a son of David and Rachel (Stahl) Housholder. On both sides the ancestry is of German extraction. On the paternal side, the great-grandfather emigrated from Germany and settled first in Virginia; he removed thence to Maryland and still later to Pennsylvania, where Senator Housholder's father was born, July 21, 1811. On the maternal side, the first migration was to England, thence to New York and later to Pennsylvania, where Senator Housholder's mother was born, in Bedford County, April 20, 1815. After his marriage, in 1835, David Housholder, who had formerly been engaged in lumbering, moved to Darke County, Ohio, and there secured large tracts of heavily timbered land from the government, and became, in the course of time, one of the prominent farmers and exemplary citizens of his locality. His death, which was occasioned by an accident, occurred in 1897, when he was 87 years of age. He supported the Democratic party, but never consented to take an active part in political life. His wife died on the farm in Darke County in 1868. Both were most worthy members of the United Brethren Church. Of their 10 children, all but two survive; one of the deceased was an infant, and the other, Francis Marion, died in 1897. Francis Marion Housholder was a very prominent citizen of Noblesville, Indiana, who was state's attorney, and postmaster during the administration of President Cleveland. His death, in the prime of life, was caused by disease contracted in a protracted army service, during the Civil War. He enlisted first in Company C, 52nd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and reenlisted in Company G, 187th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and served faithfully until the close of the war. He then engaged in the practice of the law at Noblesville, and became a prominent and valued citizen, but his health had been undermined and he finally succumbed.

Senator Housholder remained in Darke County, Ohio, until he was 25 years of age, enjoying the educational advantages offered by the common and high schools of that locality, and later attending the National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio. After completing his education, he was engaged in teaching for four years, both in the country and in Greenville, and then entered upon the study of the law. Subsequently he was graduated, in 1879. at the Indiana Central Law School, at Indianapolis, and, under the late Hon. Walter Q. Gresham, was admitted to practice in the United States Circuit and the Indiana courts.

In May, 1880, the young lawyer came to Cherokee County, and during his three years of legal practice became also interested in merchandising and in the breeding of fine stock. He almost immediately took a leading position in political circles. He secured a ranch on Cherry Creek, about 10 miles north of Columbus, and stocked it with thoroughbred Shorthorn cattle, the breeding of which has not only brought large financial returns to him, but has afforded him the recreation and outside interest so grateful to the tired, political leader. Incidentally, it may be mentioned that his herd of splendid cattle has twice taken the large prize offered by the Iowa State Fair where all breeds of cattle were in competition. Senator Housholder still continues to be one of the county's farmers, but closed out his mercantile interests in 1903. His delightful suburban home is situated in the midst of a park of 15 acres, adjoining the city of Columbus.

Senator Housholder has had many political honors tendered to him, the last one being a unanimous nomination to the office of Lieuten-ant-Governor, proffered by the late Populist and Democratic Convention, which assembled at Topeka, on August 3, 1904. He has been in the public eye since 1888, when he was first nominated by the Democratic party, as Senator from the Tenth Senatorial District. This nomination came as a surprise, his first intimation of the honor done him, being received through a newspaper. At that time he was exhibiting his fine cattle at the State fairs of Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska and Kansas. The Democratic party met with defeat that year in the district, although our subject ran far beyond the ticket. In 1892 he was nominated for the same office by the Populist party, C. B. Stone of Galena, and Dr. J. H. Baxter, of Columbus, being respectively, his Republican and Democratic opponents, both men of worth and ability. Senator Housholder was elected to the office by a plurality of 687 votes. In 1896, after a bitter fight made by the Republican party, he was reelected by the gratifying plurality of 1,400 votes. In 1900 he was a third time elected, having the distinction of being the only Senator elected to this office thrice consecutively. During each candidacy, he was nominated by acclamation, this unanimity of feeling showing clearly the public esteem in which he is held. His services in the Senate have been consistently directed to aid the constituency by which he was elected, but at the same time he has always held the interests of the public before all others.

Senator Housholder is a man of versatile talents, as is evidenced by his success in so many different lines. He has filled other positions of responsibility, always with the same conscientious regard for the welfare of all concerned. Since 1893, when he was appointed a member of the State Board of Charities, by Governor L. D. Lewelling, he has served as its president. His attention is also given to local matters where his influence may lead to public improvement or progress, and many times he has shown a deep interest in educational matters and charitable institutions.

On August 6, 1876, Senator Housholder, then but an ambitious young aspirant for legal honors, was united in marriage with Mary J. Baughman, who was born October 28, 1856, in Darke County, Ohio. She is of German ancestry, her parents, William and Elizabeth Baughman, having been born in Germany. The five children of this marriage were: Forest A., who was born November 10, 1877, and died at Columbus, Kansas, November 11, 1884; Mabel M., born in Darke County, Ohio, April 6, 1880, who is a very accomplished young lady, and has served with extraordinary capacity as her father's private secretary during five sessions of the Kansas Senate; and Valley Fern, born at Columbus, Kansas, October 25, 1885; Vale L, born at Columbus, October 12, 1888, and Victor Hugo, born March 18, 1892, all of whom live at home.

For many years Senator Housholder has been a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he has always given a liberal support. In closing this brief sketch of one of Cherokee County's favorite sons, it is pleasant to record that his popularity with the public is fully equaled by the esteem felt for him in private life. He is fortunate indeed in enjoying domestic happiness, the respect and affection of those with whom he has been associated on terms of personal friendship for so many years, and a popularity of no uncertain kind, after having been in the lime-light of public life for more than a decade. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 234-235)

MILLSTEAD, WILLIAM H.

WILLIAM H. MILLSTEAD, a prominent and successful member of the Cherokee County Bar, was born in 1839 in North Carolina, and is a son of J. M. and Elizabeth (Purnell) Millstead. J. M. Millstead was born in Maryland and died in North Carolina at the age of 58 years. Prior to the Civil War, he was a large slave owner and a prosperous merchant. The great struggle entailed heavy losses on him, but he resumed his mercantile business and continued in it until his death. His wife was born in Virginia, and died in North Carolina, in 1869, aged 57 years. They had two sons,-William H. and Frank. The latter enlisted as a private in the 55th Reg., North Carolina Inf., C. S. A., and became 2nd lieutenant of Company F. By trade he was a painter and carriage-maker. He married Bertha Phillips of North Carolina and died in 1896, leaving two children.

William H. Millstead was reared and educated in his native State, and was a student at the University of North Carolina, at the breaking out of the Civil War. On May 6, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company F, 6th Reg., North Carolina Inf., C. S. A., but was later transferred to Company A, in which he was promoted to the rank of 2nd lieutenant, and served until the end of the war, being finally discharged in May, 1865, at Greensboro, North Carolina. He took part in many of the most serious battles and on all occasions displayed a valor which won him the commendation of his superiors and the admiration of his comrades. He participated in the battles of New Berne; the seven days fighting below Richmond; Second Bull Run; Harpers Ferry; Antietam (where he received a scalp wound) ; Fredericksburg; the Wilderness; Hanover Court House; Seven Pines (where he was wounded in the left arm) ; and Petersburg.

In the fall of 1865 Mr. Millstead returned to North Carolina, but the hardships of warfare had undermined his health, and he went to Florida for a season. Upon his return he began to teach school and to read law, his studies being directed by A. M. Bogle, a prominent attorney. He continued his law studies after he removed to Carthage and Springfield, Missouri, where he engaged in teaching. He returned to North Carolina, in 1869, to marry, and remained in his native State until 1871, teaching the greater part of the time. Realizing that time must elapse before the "Old North State" could offer inducements to a young and ambitious man, he decided to return to the West. He settled first in Crawford County, Kansas, but came later to Cherokee County, and in 1876, after a short experience in farming, entered upon the practice of his profession, having been admitted to the bar in 1866. He is well and widely known in Cherokee County, has a large practice, and enjoys the reputation of being one of the safest counsellors in this section.

Mr. Millstead was married to Candee C. Hoke, who was also born in North Carolina, and they have five children, viz: Robert E. Lee, Florence, Junea, Alice and Cora. Robert E. Lee, who is superintendent of a smelter at Rich Hill, Missouri, was born in North Carolina, married Nellie Johnson, of Weir City, and has four children,-Fay, Ruth, Lulu and Harry. Florence, who was also born in North Carolina, married Theodore Moody, and they have the following children,-Benjamin, Perly, Pearl, William, Frank and an infant. Junea, Alice and Cora were born in Kansas.

Mr. Millstead has always been a consistent supporter of the Democratic party. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 235-236)

CALLAHAN, MICHAEL J.

MICHAEL J. CALLAHAN, a successful farmer of Ross township, Cherokee County, Kansas, and one of its leading citizens, resides upon his well improved farm of 240 acres, in section 2, township 32, range 23. Mr. Callahan was born at Lowell, Massachusetts, August 10, 1854, and is a son of Daniel and Catherine (Thomas) Callahan.

The parents of Mr. Callahan were born in County Kerry, Ireland, where they were reared. They came to America single, were married in Massachusetts, and in 1854 went to Bureau County, Illinois. The mother died in Shelby County, Iowa, where the family located in 1869. They had two children,- Michael J. and John.

Michael J. Callahan was reared in Bureau County, Illinois, until he reached the age of 13 years, when he accompanied the family to Shelby County, Iowa. Two years later he came alone to Cherokee township, Cherokee County, and there worked for Luke Hughes for three years; since that time he has been working on his own responsibility. He understood all the practical details of farming, and found no unsurmountable obstacles in his way. For eight years he continued to rent land, occupying property which is now the present site of Scammon, long before the mineral wealth of the region was suspected. When Mr. Callahan purchased his present farm, it was wild, prairie land, and all the improvements made upon the property have been effected by him. He now has one of the best farms and finest homes in his section of the county. He has about 160 acres of his land under cultivation, raising wheat, oats, corn, hogs and a good grade of horses and cattle. In addition to his home farm, Mr. Callahan owns 160 acres in section 4, Mineral township, and 80 acres in section 13, township 32, range 23, in Ross township, which he devotes to pasture.

Besides a fine home and productive farm, Mr. Callahan has other blessings, chiefly among these being a most estimable wife and a large, interesting and intelligent family of children. He was married on November 14, 1875, to Ann Coman, who was born at Arlington, Illinois, and is a daughter of James and Joan (O'Maley) Coman. Mrs. Callahan's parents were born in Ireland, emigrated to America, and lived in Bureau County, Illinois, until 1869. Then they came to Cherokee County, settled in Cherokee township and both died here. Mr. and Mrs. Callahan have had 14 children, namely: Agatha, a Sister in Mount Saint Scholastic Academy, at Atchison, Kansas ; Daniel; Josie, also a Sister in Mount Saint Scholastic Academy; Eva; Rosanna, who died aged 17 months; and James, George, Charles, Mary, Chloe, John, Annie, Florence and Paul. These children have all been carefully reared, as members of St. Bridget's Catholic Church at Scammon. In politics Mr. Callahan votes with the Democratic party, but he is not an office seeker.

Mr. Callahan takes a just pride in what he has accomplished by years of personal industry. What he owns he has earned - honestly earned,-and during this time he has also won the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens. His word is as good as his bond, and he finds the hand of friendship extended to him on every side. He is one of the good citizens and good men of Ross township. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 237-239)

BAXTER, J. H. M. D.

J. H. BAXTER, M. D., a prominent physician and surgeon of Columbus, where he has been located since 1875, was born in Shelby County, Indiana, November 30, 1848. He is a son of James M. and LydiaA. (Rozelle) Baxter.

James M. Baxter was born in Kentucky, where he grew to manhood and obtained an excellent schooling, and where he also learned the trade of bricklaying and masonry. This he followed for five years in his native State, before he had attained his majority, at which time he moved into Indiana. He followed contracting in the "Hoosier' State, and built many of the important buildings at Shelbyville and other points. He was interested in public af-I fairs from boyhood, being at one time one of but three who subscribed for a newspaper in his native township. His scholarly attainments and his oratorical powers caused him to be in great demand in political campaigns, and he was also called upon to serve in many of the local offices, and as justice of the peace.

Mr. Baxter was married twice, both times after settling in Indiana. His first marriage was to a Miss DeWitt, of Kentucky, who at death left three children, of whom the only survivor, Phoebe, is a resident of Los Angeles, California. The second marriage was to Lydia A. Rozelle, who was born in Indiana, and died in 1879, at Columbus, Kansas, aged 60 years. Seven children were born to this union, four of whom died in infancy and early childhood. Dr. Baxter has one surviving sister, Mrs. L. P. McAdams, of Scammon, Cherokee County. Another sister, Mrs. Mollie E. Graves, died at his home in Columbus in 1901. The father of this family died in Rush County, Indiana, aged 42 years.

The death of his father, when he was but seven years of age, placed heavy responsibilities upon the subject of this sketch and his boyhood was spent not like that of many, in search of innocent amusements, but was devoted to every kind of employment by which he could earn something to add to the family purse. After leaving the public school, he secured academic advantages at Ladoga, Indiana, and began teaching when 17 years of age. Thus by alternate teaching and school attendance, up to his 24th year, he managed to spend two years in the Christian University at Indianapolis, and later, in 1875, was graduated at the Louisville Medical College. Since then he has enjoyed many special courses, graduating at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, in 1884, and in 1890 taking a special course in the Eye and Ear Infirmary there. In 1892 he took a special course in Homeopathy at St. Louis, thus equipping himself in every possible way for the scientific practice of his noble profession.

Dr. Baxter's settlement at Columbus was something in the nature of an accident. After graduation, while looking about for a suitable location, he advanced to met an old acquaintance, Jonathan Hunt, of Martinsville, Indiana, formerly sheriff of the county, who interested him in the new town of Columbus, in Cherokee County. It resulted in Dr. Baxter settling here, and he was the first physician to establish himself permanently at this point. He has grown into the confidence and affection of the people, and has performed some wonderful surgical operations.

Dr. Baxter was married at Columbus to Eva G. Shepard, who is a daughter of the late Col. D. F. Shepard, who come here from Fort Scott. The Colonel built the first flour mill at Fort Scott, hauling the machinery from Kansas City with ox teams. Dr. and Mrs. Baxter have had three children, two of whom died in childhood. The survivor, LeRoy, is a young man of brilliant promise. In 1898, he graduated at the Columbus High School, and then spent five years in the Kansas State University, where he was graduated in June, 1902. He is now attending the medical department of the University of Chicago, being in his second year.

Politically, Dr. Baxter is a Republican. He has taken an active part in civic affairs, having served on the School Board for 14 years, and having been from 1878 to 1880 county superintendent of the public schools. For eight years he has been a member of the pension board. He was one of the early members of the Southeastern Kansas Medical Association, which has been absorbed by the State organization. Fraternally, he is an Odd Fellow, and joined the Masons in Indiana; he is also a member of the Columbus lodge of. the Knights of Pythias. Since boyhood he has been a member of the Christian Church. A portrait of the Doctor accompanies this brief review of his life. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 239-240)

BROOKS, WILLIAM E.

WILLIAM E. BROOKS, one of the most successful of the pioneer farmer of Neosho township, Cherokee County, owner of what is known as the "Forest Fruit Farm," was born in DeKalb County, Illinois, October 14, 1844, and is a son of Henry E. and Samantha (Meade) Brooks.

The Brooks family was established in Vermont, about the time of the Revolutionary War, by four brothers, of Welsh-English extraction. The name is variously spelled in different sections, one branch adopting the form of Estabrook. The father of our subject spent his early life as a ship-builder, on Lake Champlain, but later removed to Illinois and subsequently to Iowa and finally, in 1867, came to Cherokee County, Kansas, and died in Chautauqua County at the home of his son, John Brooks, at the age of 80 years. He was a large farmer and stock-raiser and owned several extensive tracts of farming land in Cherokee County. He married Samantha Meade, who was born near Dayton, Ohio, and was a cousin of Gen. George B. Meade who gained distinction during the Civil War and was the hero of Gettysburg. Mrs. Brooks died in Iowa at the age of 72 years. Their children were: John, a resident of Chautauqua County, Kansas; William E., our subject; Mrs. Jane Nugent, of Iowa City, Iowa; and Mrs. Laura Woolwine, of Waterloo, Iowa.

William E. Brooks was reared in Illinois until 1853, when he accompanied his parents to Black Hawk County, Iowa. They located on a farm near Waterloo, and there our subject attended the district schools and assisted his father on the farm until 1861, when he offered his services, although but a boy of 17, to his country, enlisting on November 19th, in Company I, 16th Reg., Iowa Vol. Inf., under Col. Alex. Chambers. Mr. Brooks was discharged on November 16, 1864, but served until April, 1865. These years of danger, hardship, sickness, imprisonment and excitement changed the sturdy young farmer boy into a grizzled veteran, with a record for courage, valor and fidelity. He participated in many of the hardest fought battles of the war, including Pittsburg Landing; siege of Corinth and battle of Corinth; Iuka; siege of Vicksburg; and the battle of Kingston, North Carolina, in 1865.

Mr. Brooks was also a member of General Sherman's army that made the memorable "March to the Sea." At Atlanta, Georgia, he was unfortunate enough to be taken prisoner; he was sent to Andersonville Prison, where he was kept for two of the longest months of his life. On September 22, 1864, he was exchanged at Rough and Ready Station, near Atlanta, and was then sent to the convalescent camp at Chattanooga, Tennessee, in order to be treated for prison scurvy which had infected his wounded leg. This terrible imprisonment reduced his weight from 160 to 107 pounds. Upon recovering sufficiently, he was detailed to Block House, No. 14, Chickamauga Creek. It was while located here that he had some amusing adventures. Being detailed as quartermaster of the Block House, it was incumbent upon him to look after the commissary, and this entailed considerable skirmishing through the enemy's country. While on one of these expeditions he became acquainted with a family of Confederate sympathizers by the name of Knowles. They were probably hospitable Southern people of great kindness of heart, for they took pity on Mr. Brooks and invited him and his partner to dine with them and enjoy the festivities of Christmas Day. Youth is youth, and, as there were young ladies in the family and as such tempting offers came but seldom in their lives at that time, the two young Union soldiers did not hesitate long before accepting. The occasion was also an old-fashioned quilting party and all the maidens of the neighborhood had gathered, according to custom, and the succeeding festivities were at their height, about 10 o'clock in the evening, when they were startled by the rattle of sabres coming over the rail fence. Mr. Brooks and his companion for a few moments felt they had been betrayed and prepared to defend themselves from what they supposed a posse of Confederate soldiers. In answer to a loud demand at the door, they met the intruders with pointed revolvers, but fortunately did not shoot, as the two visitors, when stripped of their Confederate coats, showed the Union blue beneath and disclosed the fact that two other Block House men were also out seeking recreation.

In February, 1865, Mr. Brooks reported to his regiment at Goldsboro, North Carolina, although his term of enlistment had expired four months previously. While camped at Vicksburg, in 1863, a member of Crocker's brigade, many forms of amusement were tried by the weary and homesick soldiers, and Mr. Brooks was never behindhand in thinking up new ones. The place where they were located had many Confederate arsenals in the vicinity, and the Union soldiers were in the habit of amusing themselves by exploding the cannon cartridges they found there. For various reasons this amusement did not find favor in the eyes, or ears, of General Crocker, and he gave orders that the next offender should be dealt with. The tents were wedged together, with bunks of poles stretched two feet from the ground and a plank passing through to serve as a table. As may be imagined, one of the greatest discomforts of these small dwellings were the swarms of flies, which in Southern countries amount to intolerable pests. Upon one occasion when Mr. Brooks came into his tent, he saw his companion lying apparently asleep, while the flies were holding a kind of carnival. With the best intentions in the world, he decided that at least one tent should be freed from them and set about his preparations accordingly, by pouring molasses in the middle of the tent table and surrounding it with a goodly amount of powder from a six-pound cartridge. When the molasses seemed to have attracted every fly under the tent curtains, he reached inside, with a lighted paper, and it is his conviction that the tent went at least 60 feet in the air. Fortunately Mr. Brooks' tent-mate was only blackened with the powder and nearly frightened to death, but probably not more so than Mr. Brooks himself, as he was completely dumbfounded by his success. Doubtless many other members of the old 16th Iowa can recall the incident.

Mr. Brooks returned to Iowa after the close of the war and farmed there until 1869, when he followed his father to Kansas, accompanied by his wife and one child. The journey was made in 22 days in a prairie schooner, which served as a home until he completed a log cabin, 12 by 14 feet in dimensions. He purchased a tract of 160 acres of land, half of which he later gave to his children. It is well located, in section 1, township 35, range 22, in Neosho township, and has rewarded him well for the labor and expense he has put on it. Trading his team for a yoke of oxen, he began to break his land on June 15, 1869, but after two days of plowing found he could do nothing more that season on account of the rains setting in. He then hauled coal from the Neosho River and surrounding territory to Baxter Springs, receiving 25 cents a bushel. When winter set in he went with his cattle to the woods, procured hickory and maple, and fashioned ax-halves and ox-yokes, receiving 35 cents for the former and $2.50 for the latter, averaging $5 a day. Although he could earn this amount by being industrious, the price of living was proportionately high, for he paid $9 per hundred for flour, 30 cents a pound for meat and $2 a bushel for corn. Kansas City was the nearest railroad point and a tri-weekly mail passed from Baxter Springs to Chetopa. Deer were plentiful in those days and he went on many hunting expeditions with J. A. R. Elliott, a champion shot of the world, who married his niece and now lives in Kansas City.

For some years Mr. Brooks has devoted himself to the raising of corn and hogs. He set out a fine apple orchard of 60 acres, has a large evaporator and cider press and gives much of his attention to the growing of fruit. He has also five acres of forest trees, there being more on his quarter section than on any other farm in the county, and it deserves the name of the "Forest Fruit Farm." In 1900 he built a new and modern home and now has one of the best houses in the township.
On December 30, 1867, Mr. Brooks was married to Sarah Jane Tallman, who was born in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, November 16, 1843, and is a daughter of John R. and Jane (Corson) Tallman, both natives of Pennsylvania. They have had four children: Joseph, a teacher of music, located in Colorado; Mrs. Alice Owens, of Neosho township; Rosa, who died at the age of two years; and John, who lives on a farm adjoining that of his father.

Mr. Brooks has been treasurer of the township for two years, elected on the Republican ticket, but in political matters he is independent. For a number of years he served as a school officer. Fraternally he has been an Odd Fellow and a Woodman, and in the latter organization still continues. He has also been a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and of the A. H. T. A.

Being a great lover of music, Mr. Brooks in 1882 organized a band of 16 members, which for 16 years was the leading band of the county. He still maintains for pleasure and local pasttimes an orchestra of five pieces. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 241-243)