Bios Index

HON. BENJAMIN F. HOGG. The death of Hon. Benjamin F. Hogg, at Pasadena, California, on November 13, 1896, removed one of Cherokee County's large capitalists, and a citizen who had distinguished himself as a soldier, as a local public official, and as a wise legislator. Mr. Hogg was born at Lyndonville, New York, April 23, 1842, and was a son of George and Abigail (Reynolds) Hogg.

The Hogg family is of Scotch extraction, the grandparents of the late Mr. Hogg coming to America from Scotland and settling in Philadelphia. Later they moved to Lyndonville, New York, where George Hogg and his wife spent their lives. They had nine children, two of whom died in infancy. Five still survive, all of whom are residents of the Empire State except one, Adam, who resides at Lawrence, Kansas,-he is the father of Prof. Archibald Hogg, who is a member of the faculty of the State University of Kansas.

The late Benjamin F. Hogg attended the common schools, where he prepared for a useful career. The outbreak of the Civil War changed his plans and probably turned the whole current of his life, as it did that of many another young and loyal youth of those stirring days. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in Company I, 104th Reg., New York Vol. Inf., in which he served without injury until the dreadful slaughter of Gettysburg, where the gallant young soldier lost a hand. Subsequently he was honorably discharged. For several years following this disaster, he served in State official life, as an officer of the Soldiers' Home at Albany, and later in the New York City Post Office, under Postmaster James.

After his marriage, in 1869, he moved with his wife to Cherokee County, first locating in Pleasant View township, but later moving to Mineral township. His natural ability was shown in the success which met his endeavors in farming and stock-raising. He became the owner of much rich farming land, aggregating 560 acres, 480 acres of which are still owned and managed by his widow. Almost from the period of his settlement in Cherokee County, Mr. Hogg took an active and intelligent interest in political life and devoted his time, strength and means to the advancement of such legislation as seemed to him likely to promote the welfare of his adopted State and County. In 1880 he was elected by the Democratic-Populist party to the State Senate, where for four years, by pen, voice and influence, he faithfully served his constituents.

On June 28, 1869, Mr. Hogg was married at Franklinville, New York, to Julia A. Searle, who was born in New York, and was one of a family of 11 children. Her parents were A. D. and Jane M. (Scott) Searle, both of whom were born in America, of German and English ancestry, respectively. Mrs. Hogg is the only member of her family residing in Kansas. One brother, Judge D. B. Searle, has been a resident of Steams County, Minnesota, for the past 15 years. Another brother, Frank, is a prominent attorney of New York City, and the others all reside in the vicinity of the old home.

Mrs. Hogg has three children, viz: Abigail J., who is at home; John, who is connected with the Citizens State Bank of Joplin, Missouri; and James, who is associated with the Continental Creamery Company at Topeka. The last named completed the law course at the State University of Kansas, and was admitted to the bar. John attended the State University, and Abigail J., the State Normal School at Emporia. Mrs. Hogg, who is a highly cultivated lady, is a graduate of the New York State Normal School at Albany. In the management of the large interests left in her care, she has shown admirable judgment and business sense. She is a valued member of the Presbyterian Church in Columbus, and both she and her daughter belong to the city's exclusive social circles.

The death of Mr. Hogg took place while sojourning in California, where he was in search of health, a change of climate having for some years been found necessary. He left behind many who appreciated his excellent qualities of mind and heart, and felt that his demise was a great loss to the county, with whose development he had been so long and prominently identified. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 243-244)

SOUDER, GEORGE F.

GEORGE F. SOUDER, a farmer residing in section 6, in Salamanca township, is one of the very oldest settlers of Cherokee County, and a gentleman whose influence has been powerful in molding her institutions. Mr. Souder is a "Buckeye'' by birth, having been born in Fairfield County, Ohio, on March 14, 1839.

It was on May 10, 1869, when Mr. Souder, accompanied by a Mr. Tice and another gentleman, drove up to the town-site of Columbus, having made the trip from Tipton, Missouri. They were in search of a place to locate, and after some figuring with Hannibal Scovel, one of the two merchants then at that point, Mr. Souder purchased his stock, together with the northeast quarter of the section upon which the townsite was located,-the geographical center of the county being the southwest corner of this quarter. The purchase price of the goods and land was about $1,500. The location of the building was about the center of the west side of the square. A Mr. Lewis conducted a store on the northeast corner of the square, and these two establishments did the business of the whole section at that time.

Mr. Souder conducted the store for a time, and then sold out. The land he cultivated for about six years, building a house and improving it otherwise. In 1875 he traded the farm for the one he now owns. When this came into his possession, it had a small house of four rooms and a bit of orchard, and but four acres of it were broken out. This was little better than virgin prairie, so that the splendid farm he now owns is the product of his labor and intelligent management. Besides the quarter section, he has an 80-acre tract adjoining, and in Ross township he also owns a tract of 225 acres. About four years ago, Mr. Souder built the large and modernly appointed house in which the family now resides, the whole constituting one of the best farm properties of the county.

Frederick and Agatha (Kirns) Souder were the parents of the subject of this sketch. Both were natives of Germany and both had been previously wedded. They remained in the "Fatherland" until 1838, when they crossed the ocean in a sailing vessel. Landing at New York, they immediately removed to Fairfield County, Ohio, where they settled on a farm near Lancaster. When Mr. Souder was a lad of seven years, the family moved to Fort Ball, Seneca County, Ohio. Several years later, they moved to a farm in the western part of the same county, where they resided the reminder of their lives. Mr. Souder had six half-brothers and three half-sisters. A full-brother, Adam Souder, now resides at Fostoria, Ohio.

The subject of this sketch was reared for the most part in Fort Ball, now known as Tiffin, Ohio. He received a common school education, and remained at home until his marriage, in Tiffin, to the lady who has been his faithful companion and help meet,-Sybilla Fruth. Mrs. Souder is a native of Seneca County, Ohio, and is a daughter of George and Margaret (Shubach) Fruth, natives of Germany. Soon after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Fruth removed to Seneca County; they are now deceased; a daughter is still living at the old homestead. Mr. Souder followed farming in Ohio with good success, owning at different times several farms, all of which were improved and sold to advantage. He served the government for a time during the war, in the barracks at Lima, Ohio, but was not in service in the field. Since coming to Kansas, he has devoted himself exclusively to farming. He is not one of those that fear the recurrence of drought, holding that wet weather has done Kansas more damage than the lack of moisture.

Mr. and Mrs. Souder have reared seven children, as follows: Lucy M., wife of E. C. Hicks; William, who died in Ohio when three years old; Adam, who died in Cherokee County at the age of 14 years; George, who died in Cherokee County at the age of nine years ; W. H., operating and residing on the home farm, who married Anna Bergman, and has six children,-Gladys, George, John, Anna, Albert and Ralph; Charles A., a farmer of Ross township, Cherokee County, who married Birdie Reesman, and has three children,- Henry, Lyle and Cleda; and Anna, who died on the home farm when a child of six years.

E. C. Hicks, son-in-law of Mr. Souder, owns a 120-acre farm in section 6, Salaman.ca township, and 80 acres in section 1, Lola township. He was born at Tremont, Illinois, in 1859. He is a son of Elah Hicks, now of Coal Center, Pennsylvania. Mr. Hicks came to Cherokee County with his parents. He learned telegraphy at Columbus, and spent about 20 years in the service of railroad companies, being with the Missouri Pacific for years at different points. He is independent, in politics, and is a member of the Masons (Blue Lodge and Chapter), and of the A. O. U. W., I. O. O. R, and the O. R. T. Mr. and Mrs. Hicks have had four children,-Edna; Gladys; Archie; and Lee, who is now deceased.

The above constitutes a brief review of one of Cherokee County's best families. Mr. Souder takes little part in politics; he is a Populist, in principle, but reserves the right to vote independently. He belongs to the German Evangelical Church. The esteem in which he and his family are held throughout the county is universal. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 244-246)

McLAUGHLIN, JOHN

JOHN MCLAUGHLIN. Among the early settlers of Cherokee County, Kansas, the late John McLaughlin took a prominent part, for he was a man of sterling traits of character, a promoter of all enterprises undertaken for the public good, and one, who, while working for the welfare of his. family, remembered the claims of education and morality. He was born in County Deny, Ireland, December 22, 1825, and died on November 29, 1874, in Cherokee County, Kansas. His parents were William and Mary (Patterson) McLaughlin.

The parents of Mr. McLaughlin spent their whole lives in Ireland. The four of their nine children who came to America, were,-John, the subject of this record; William, a resident of Mercer County, Illinois; Matilda and Jane. John McLaughlin grew up on his father's small farm, which he continued to assist in cultivating until he reached the age of 21 years, when he learned the carpenter's trade, which was his main occupation through life. After coming to America, he settled in Allen County, Indiana, where he married. In 1855, he removed with his wife to Richland County, Wisconsin, where he was engaged in farming for a time. Then he went to Illinois, and rented a farm in Mercer County until 1866, when he located in Johnson County, Kansas. In the spring of 1867 he came to Cherokee County, He secured 160 acres of wild land in Sheridan township, to which he later added 160 more, which was subsequently found rich in coal deposits, and was sold to a coal company.

Those pioneers who settled in Sheridan township as early as 1867, only 10 years later than the arrival of the first settler who dared fate by establishing a home in this Indian reservation, had still much to contend with,-the subjugation of Nature in the clearing of their lands, the protection of their families and flocks from the savages and wild beasts, and the endurance of drudgery and deprivations of every kind, being inevitable incidents of those days on the frontier. Mr. McLaughlin had the great advantage of possessing a wife who was his cheerful, helpful assistant in every emergency, and one to whom he always gave much credit for his success. While he cleared his land, and made the fine improvements which mark it as one of the valuable farms of the township, he continued to work at his trade. He built structures of all kinds throughout the county, including the first house in Oswego, Kansas, and many of the churches and school houses, which bear their own testimony to the educational and moral status of the good people of Cherokee County.

In Allen County, Indiana, on January 9, 1852, Mr. McLaughlin married Isabel Orr, who was born in March, 1831, in County Derry, Ireland, and is a daughter of James and Jane Orr, both of whom were natives of County Derry. Mr. Orr came to America in 1834 and settled at Trenton, Ohio, later moving to Allen County, Indiana, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives on their farm. The three survivors of their nine children are,- William, who lives on the homestead in Indiana; Annie, who resides at Ovid, Michigan; and Mrs. McLaughlin. The five children born to Mr. and Mrs. McLaughlin were,-Alvin, who is a prominent citizen of Chandler, Oklahoma, where he is treasurer of Lincoln County, and a large land owner; James Orr, deceased at the age of 38 years, who was a farmer in Ross township, Cherokee County; William and Willis, twins, of whom the former is night watchman in mine No. 8, West Mineral, and the latter is a lumber dealer at Wellington, Kansas; and Mary (Mrs. Alexander Hudson), who resides in West Mineral.

Mr. McLaughlin became a member of the Republican party soon after its organization, and continued his identification with it until his death. He was a prominent figure in county politics for years, filled many township offices, and was a member of the Board of County Commissioners. For years he was active in the Presbyterian Church, being one of the elders, and was always interested in the work of the Sunday-school. Wherever known, he was respected and esteemed.

Mrs. McLaughlin still survives, and until 1904 she continued to reside on the home farm in section 12, township 32, range 22, in Sheridan township, the place in which she and her late husband had spent so many happy years together. She now resides in a pleasant home in West Mineral, surrounded by all the comforts grateful to advancing years, and beloved by her family and friends. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 246-249)

COOPER, JOHN MILTON

HON. JOHN MILTON COOPER, ex-Mayor of Baxter Springs, a prominent and successful business man, conducting the largest general store in the city and identified with farming and mining interests in Cherokee County, was born December 11, 1841, at Eldara, Pike County, Illinois, and is a son of Isaiah and Elizabeth (Sigsworth) Cooper.

Isaiah Cooper was born June 18, 1817, in Virginia, and in boyhood moved to Pike County, Illinois, where he later became a successful farmer. He married Elizabeth Sigsworth, a daughter of Joseph and Anna (Jorden) Sigsworth, farming people of Pike County, who came originally from England. The children of Isaiah Cooper and wife were: John Milton, of this sketch; Joseph H., of Baxter Springs; Ann Elizabeth, wife of B. F. Townsend, of Santa Anna, California; William Shepherd, of Kansas City; Isaiah Matheny, of Santa Anna, California; George Elliott, of the Indian Territory; Andrew Eugene, of Miami. Indian Territory; Blanche Ellen, wife of Braziller L. Naylor, of Wagner, Indian Territory; Benjamin F., who died at the age of 45 years; and Charles Albert, who is engaged in farming in Kansas.

Isaiah Cooper engaged in a mercantile business at New Salem, Illinois, and prior to 1860 owned and operated a flouring mill, with an output of 100 barrels daily. He was not only an enterprising and successful business man, but he was also a patriotic one. In May, 1862, he enlisted and was made captain of Company K, 99th Reg. Illinois Vol. Inf., and at Black River Bridge, near Vicksburg, he was in a furious engagement with the enemy, and while gallantly leading his command was so wounded that he lost an arm. lie was invalided home-and later was honorably discharged. After recuperating, Mr. Cooper resumed his farming operations and remained in the vicinity of New Salem until 1867, when he removed to Cherokee County, Kansas. He located some six miles west of Baxter Springs, and also operated a general store in Baxter Springs for a time. He-then resumed farming and was so occupied until his death on February 8, 1895. His wife-had died on January 16, 1884. Thus passed away two most worthy and esteemed residents of Cherokee County.

John M. Cooper was educated in the public schools of Pike County, Illinois, and completed his school course at the age of 18 years. On May 24, 1861, at the age of 20 years, he enlisted in Company K, 16th Reg., Illinois Vol. Inf., and until he was honorably discharged in 1864 took part in many of the conclusive battles of the war, notably those of Resaca; the fighting along the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad; Island No. 10; Pittsburg Landing and the siege of Corinth. Although he was, with his command, near enough to witness the battle of Chattanooga, they were not engaged in it. The most severe engagement in which he participated was that at Buzzards' Roost, in which 400 men made a gallant charge, capturing the enemy's works, but sustaining a loss of no men. Mr. Cooper was with his regiment until the expiration of his term of enlistment and was discharged May 24, 1864, at Springfield, Illinois.

After his return home, he entered a commercial college at St. Louis, from which he received five certificates and a diploma. He next opened a mercantile establishment at New Salem, Illinois, and remained there for two years and subsequently engaged in farming until 1868, when he removed to Baxter Springs, Kansas. He has made this city his permanent home and is here interested in farming, mining and storekeeping. He is the head of the largest general store in Baxter Springs, carrying a complete stock of large value.

Since 1877 Mr. Cooper has been identified with the mining interests of the county, and was one of the original members of the Galena Mining & Smelting Company, which laid out the town-site of Galena and he was one of the heaviest stockholders. He is now president of the John M. Cooper M. & M. Company, which was organized with a capital stock of $100,000. Mr. Cooper had one of the first stores, if not the first store, in Galena, situated on Main street, and he still has a store on Main street. The John M. Cooper M. & M. Company owns over 3,000 acres of rich mineral lands, from which a handsome royalty is received.

On September 24, 1868, Mr. Cooper was married to Emily Little, daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Keyes) Little, farming people of Pike County, Illinois. They have had these children: Laura May, Ida Lee, Jessie Milton and John Isaiah. Laura May is the wife of W. E. Price, manager of the Cooper Drug Company, of Joplin, Missouri. They have five children,-Herbert Williamson, born September 25, 1893; Earl Cooper, born December 13, 1894, deceased in childhood; Helen, born October 25, 1896, deceased; Jessie June, born July 28, 1898, and Laurence Wallace, born July 31, 1900. Ida Lee married Charles F. Noble, of Baxter Springs, an oil speculator, and has had three children,-Clara May, born January 1, 1893; John Franklin, born July 14, 1895; and Scott Osborne, born March 2, 1898, who died in infancy. Jessie Milton, born January 22, 1880, and John Isaiah, born August 12, 1889, live at home. Upon this happy family circle fell a crushing bereavement, in the death of Mrs. Cooper, who passed away at Baxter Springs on July 27, 1904. She was a woman of rare character, one who was adored by her family and loved by her friends. She was a ministering angel to those in need and a support of the weak and wavering in her own circle or wherever her gentle influence was needed. In her the Episcopal Church lost a devoted member. She was a charter member of the first lodge of the Order of the Eastern Star, at Baxter Springs.

Mr. Cooper has always been an active Republican. He has been a member of the City Council, and during two terms served the city as mayor. He is president of the Inter-State Reunion Association and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a 32d degree Mason, and an Elk, and formerly belonged to the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His portrait accompanies this sketch. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 249-251)