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CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS BIOGRAPHIES THE PRAIRIE GEM SCHOOL HOUSE. The illustration shown on the opposite page, is the handsome school building that the citizens of district No. 34 are so justly proud of. The first school in the district held forth in a little stone building with a dirt floor, situated on the Will Grayburn homestead and formerly occupied by him as a dwelling. A Miss Martha J. Wilford was the first teacher. She taught a three months term for ten dollars per month. Mr. Wilford was director and Lewis Gray, clerk. The first tax levied was in August, 1875; out of this tax were paid a teacher's salary of one per cent, and an incidental fund of one-half per cent. In 1877 the tax for teacher's wages was reduced to one-half per cent, and the incidental fund to one-fourth per cent. Lewis Gray was the treasurer, and his bond, dated March 27, 1873, was filed for five thousand dollars. Mr. Peterson, one of the members of the present board, recalls attending a school meeting in his house when Henry Gray and himself were the only persons in attendance to transact business. District No. 34 covers an area of three by three and a half miles. There was considerable discussion over the location of the site for the building, as the many emigrants locating in their midst were dissatisfied with a location so remote from the center of the district, and the site across the creek was very inconvenient. There was a movement on to divide the territory, but as an agreement for division lines could not be reached they consolidated and still remain one large district. The school house was placed near the center and peace and harmony have reigned ever since. The fund was secured by voting bonds. There were several meetings held at private residences, usually at the home of Frank A, Lane. Almost everyone was enthusiastically in favor of the bonds and those who were not, remained away. Hence, when the time came there was not a dissenting vote. The late Mrs. Frank A. Lane worked hard for the new school house and her characteristic determination did much towards securing it. A good story is told on Mr. F. A. Lane. On the day of the election, he with other interested parties were rustling votes all day, and when the polls were closed in the evening it was found in his enthusiasm to make the votes poll as large as possible, he had forgotten to cast his own ballot. The first contract was for six hundred and forty dollars. The house was erected in 1882. Howard Huston. James Kingsley, and O. W. Peterson constituted the board at this time. They were director, clerk, and treasurer, respectively. The present house is practically a new one, as it has been remodeled and enlarged, making it eight feet wider. The dimensions as it stands are 32x40 feet. In 1902 a tower 8x10 feet was erected, and a bell placed, in the autumn of the same year. To obtain funds for improvements in this district has never been a hardship, as the people all contribute liberally and take an earnest pride in the advancement of the school interests. A library of one hundred and twenty-five books has been provided and by giving box suppers an organ was supplied. These entertainments are well patronized, ninety-two dollars being the proceeds of one evening. The board has at all times endeavored to carry out the wishes of the people of the district by employing the best talent. Miss Bertha Marlatt taught one term. The first teacher in the new building was John Coffin. The present teacher is James Daniels. The enrollment is thirty-eight. At one time sixty pupils answered to the roll call. The ground of this fine building site was broken by Mr. Huston and Mr. Peterson, and about one hundred trees were planted. The people of this locality have been agitating the subject of centralizing and building a high school, on the plans of the Dickinson county high school. This handsome school building does double duty, for here the Methodist Episcopal minister of the Jamestown congregation holds divine service each alternate Sunday. There is also a well attended Sunday-school. The late George Champlin, the subject of this memoir, emigrated to Kansas in the springtime of 1870 and homesteaded the land now owned by his son, Robert Melvin Champlin. The farm is situated one-half mile west from the present corporation limits of Jamestown. George Champlin was a native of Rhode Island, born December 2, 1836, and died in December, 1899. He removed to the state of New York when a youth, grew to manhood there and married Miss Adeline E. Latten, of Towanda, December 3, 1860. He was practically a farmer all his life, having owned land near Cold Springs, New York, before establishing a home in the west. Mrs. Champlin was born at Otsego, New York, October 10, 1835. She survives her husband and lives with her son, Robert, on the farm. Our subject's father was also named George. He has two brothers living, Sylvester and James, both of New York. Mr. Champlin served three long years in the service of "Uncle Sam" and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. He was a member of Company B, One hundred and fifty-fourth Regiment, of New York Volunteers, and was discharged at Bladensburg, Maryland, June 11, 1863. Like many old veterans, he was left in a disabled condition from physical ailments, brought on by exposure and hardships and from being crippled while making the ascent of a mountain near Dalton, Georgia. While in line of battle he was crowded off a rocky precipice and fell about a dozen feet, injuring his ankle and left arm. Mr. Champlin was identified for many years with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was buried according to the rites of that order. He also belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic. To Mr. and Mrs. Champlin eight children were born, four of whom are living, two sons and two daughters. Marion L. Champlin is a rural route mail carrier, with residence in Jamestown, where he and his family are highly esteemed citizens. Loretta, is unmarried and lives in the home of her brother Robert. Edith, is the wife of FrankIin, a section foreman on the railroad. Their home is in Palmer Lake, Colorado. They are the parents of two daughters, Adeline and Frances Lillian. Georgiana, the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Champlin, died January 4, 1885, after only a few months of wedded life. Robert Melvin Champlin, who owns the homestead, having bought the interests of the other heirs, is a prosperous farmer and stockman. He was born near Cold Springs, New York, November 10, 1868, but was brought to Kansas when yet in swaddling clothes, hence is practically a product of the "Sunflower" State. He began at the foundation, started on his stock raising career with two pigs presented to him by Anthony Loftus and Joe Donnelly. When grown he traded them to his father for two steers, which brought him sixty-five dollars. He worked and invested his earnings in more stock, later his father gave him one-third of the corn raised on the farm, and being possessed of natural business sagacity he prospered rapidly, until he bought the homestead, added another farm to his estate, and today finds him in a fair way to become one of the foremost farmers of Buffalo township. This farm, is highly improved and equipped with all sorts of modern machinery. The original house of cotton wood stood clown by the creek, but they were driven out by the flood in 1878. The water came down in torrents, like a wall, carrying straw-stacks, pigs, chickens and everything in its path. The volume of water was partially held back by the railroad which was in course of construction, but when it broke through the embankment the waves of the swollen Buffalo creek swept over the bottom lands, forming a vast lake. Robert Champlin is identified with the Woodmen and Royal Neighbors. Politically he has been voting with the Populists. Probably no man is better known in the vicinity of Jamestown than James Carter, the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He emigrated to Kansas with the Ansdell brothers and landed in Grant township June 7, 1870, where the homestead of uncultivated prairie has become one of the most valuable estates in the beautiful Buffalo creek valley, and where Mr. Carter has become identified as one of those citizens largely interested in the development of the county. He was a single man and "bached" for several months in a small log hut, and during this period in the newly settled country in all probability he looked into the future and saw a comfortable home, but did not foresee the beautiful country place that is now his. Mr. Carter has been an extensive contributor to
the best interests of the community and the work he has accomplished toward the improvement and cultivation of
his fine farm is a most important one. The land he entered from the government has been abided to until he now
owns five hundred acres which is one of the best improved and most desirable farms in. Cloud county. His residence,
consisting of nine rooms, its modern conveniences, extensive and well-kept lawn, is one of the most imposing in
the locality of Jamestown. Mr. Carter's prosperity has certainly been well merited, for he accomplished these magnificent
results from no other resources than industry and good judgment. These sterling qualities along with determination
have placed him in the front ranks of the substantial fanners and he is hereby recorded as part and progress of
the history of Cloud county. At the date of his settlement in Grant township there were no actual settlers, as
all who secured "claims" had deserted them, and the vast territory, where now lie some of the finest
farms on the continent, was covered with a sea of waving prairie grass. Mr. Carter's parents were George and Mary (Ried) Carter. His father was a Canadian by birth but emigrated to Wisconsin among the early settlers of that state. Mr. Carter is of Irish origin, his paternal and maternal ancestors having come originally from the Emerald Isle. His father resides in Richland county, Wisconsin. His mother died when our subject was eighteen years of age. Mr. Carter was married, in 1877, to Emma, a daughter of the late John U. Hodgson, one of the first postmasters in the vicinity of Jamestown, and when the nearest postoffice on the east was Concordia. It bore the name of Alva, given by William J. Ion, who was reading "Oscar of Alva," one of Byron's poems. "How sweetly shines through azure skies, The lamp of heaven on Lora's shore; Where Alva's hoary turrets rise, And hear the din of arms no more." The name Alva appealed to Mr. Ion as being appropriate for the new postoffice and at his suggestion it was adopted. When Mr. Hodgson received the appointment of postmaster his form was straight and full of vigor, his eyes bright and lighted with expression, but twenty-two years prior to his demise he had the misfortune to lose his sight and was totally blind. Mr. Hodgson was a native of Yorkshire, England, born in 1818. He emigrated to America in 1841 and settled in the province of Oxford, Canada, spending part of his time in Toronto and Tobico. He removed to Illinois in 1862, where he farmed until coming to Kansas. Mrs. Carter's mother before her marriage, was Elizabeth Taylor, of Canadian birth. She survives her husband, lives cm the old homestead and owns other land adjoining. She has three sons, E. L., B. R, and W. M., who are interested with her in fanning. To Mr. and Mrs. Carter five children have been born, who give promise of becoming like their parents, useful citizens. Harry Fred, the eldest son, is aged twenty-four; John George, aged nineteen; Mary Elizabeth, the eldest daughter, is a young woman of eighteen years and a student in the last year of the high school course in Jamestown; Dot Lucile, aged fifteen, has just entered upon the first years course in the high school; James Eugene, the youngest child, was nicknamed "Tim" when an infant and is scarcely known by any other name. When Mr. Carter came to Kansas his capital was twenty-five dollars, a yoke of oxen and a well worn wagon. He has gained his competency by raising wheat, cattle and hogs. Prior to a half dozen years ago he raised corn. In the year 1902, he had three hundred and twenty acres of wheat which yielded only eight and ten bushels per acre. The same acreage the previous year produced seven thousand bushels. Aside from their handsome dwelling, the improvements consist of a fine barn, sheds, outbuildings and a well bearing orchard of six acres. Mrs. Carter is an amiable woman and has done her part toward gaining their pleasant home and through her refined tastes its appointments are far above the average. Mr. Carter is a Republican from start to finish and takes an intelligent interest in public affairs. Another example of what industry and thrift can
accomplish is illus-trated by the progress made by George Kaad of Grant township, who came to Kansas in 1878 with
a capital of one hundred and twenty-five dollars. Mr. Kaad is a native of Denmark, born in 1854, in Schleswig,
now a part of Germany, but remarked with pride, "I am proud to be called an American citizen." He is
one in the fullest sense of the term and is loyal to his adopted county. In 1872 he sailed for America and located
in Chicago where he carried brick and mortar until after the "big fire." He then went to the state of
New York, two years later to Ohio, and a short time afterward spent a year in Illinois, subsequently coming to
Kansas in 1878. One year later he was married to Anne Peterson, also of Danish birth, who came to Kansas in 1878
with her father, Peter Johnson, two sisters and a brother and settled in Jewell county, near the Cloud county line.
He afterward settled in Grant township, Cloud county, where he died in 1900. Her mother died in Denmark when Mrs.
Kaad was but twelve years old. To Mr. and Mrs. Kaad thirteen children have been born, ten of whom are living. George,
the eldest child is twenty-two years of age and assists his father on the farm; Peter has just attained his majority
and is also at home; Willie, the third son, is aged twenty, and Anna, the eldest daughter is a young woman of eighteen
years; Mary and Frank died at the ages of seven and eleven years, respectively; Hans, aged thirteen, was born on
the same day of the month as Peter, the second son, August 9th; Martina died at the age of two years and four months;
Emma and Lucy are aged nine and eight years, respectively; Martha Julia and Martin August are twins; ten hours
elapsed between their births, making their birthdays July 31st and August 1st; the baby, Oscar Frederick, is about
two years of age. During the first year Mr. Kaad was in Kansas he
lived in the Elniff family of Jewell county, owning a half interest in a yoke of cattle with Fred Elniff, using
them each alternate week and in this manner broke up his land and obtained a start in farming. Mr. Kaad often recalls
driving the ox team to Beloit and Concordia, cracking his whip to the tune of "Haw Buck, Gee Buck" etc. The most serious of all their experiences was when a long siege of typhoid fever befell Mr. Kaad, leaving him in a helpless condition for many weeks. There was not only a scarcity of food but their fuel was limited to green wood and cornstalks; a physician who drove out from Concordia charged fifteen dollars a trip, a fortune to them in each call. The following year they were more fortunate and built a stone holise of one room 10x12 feet in dimensions and dug a well, having been carrying water a half mile; but misfortunes still pursued them. The horses Mr. Kaad bought died, he mortgaged his farm and poor crops compelled him to continue remitting heavy interest by re-mortgaging until in the early nineties he released it, and, although crop failures came, he has since progressed. In 1898 among the improvements to his farm a comfortable eight-room residence was built at a cost of twelve hundred dollars. The house is modern with closets in all the rooms and a good cellar. They have a well kept lawn with flowers and shade trees. In 1899 a barn, 26 by 36, was erected with a granary and shed 16 by 36 attached on the west end. Mr. Kaad is one of the honored pioneers of Grant township and after years of toil and care he is enjoying the fruits of his labors and a pleasant home built through his own efforts and those of his frugal and industrious wife. He has transformed a wild, unbroken tract into one of the most de-sirable farms in the locality of Jamestown and is counted one of the financially well-to-do Danes of Grant township. Wheat growing is his principal industry. Mr. Kaad is "mixed" in politics and votes for the best man. He is public spirited and interested in securing for his children good educational advantages. The family are members of the Jewell county Lutheran church which he helped to erect by his influence, labor and financial support. The subject of this article, Edwin Adelbert Gould, is commonly known to his friends and associates as "Del," and would scarcely be recognized by any other cognomen. He was born in Michigan in 1853, but was reared in the state of New York. He came to Kansas with his brother, March 15, 1870, and bought one hundred and twenty acres of school land paying four dollars per acre and borrowed the money to make the first payment. Being entirely without capital he railroaded several years instead of improving his farm. He worked in various capacities, principally as brakeman on the train doing construction work and hauling material for the Scandia branch. Mr. Gould was married on Thanksgiving day, 1885, to Lida F. Rogers, who was reared on the farm where she first saw the light of day in Wash-ington county, Ohio. Her mother died when Mrs. Gould was a child and her father was deceased in 1886, and as fast as the children reached maturity they came westward. Miss Rebecca Rogers, an older sister came to teach school and was married in Kansas. The brothers are Alvin, Joshua, Isaac, John and Fremont, residents, successful ranchmen and land owners of Comanche county, Kansas, where the older brother owns twenty-seven quarter sections of land. The Rogers family arc of Scotch origin. The mother was Mary Ann Teeples of English ancestry. To Mr. and Mrs. Gould four children have been born, viz: Eva, the eldest daughter, a young lady of seventeen years, is taking the second year's course in the Concordia high school; she is a hard student, a bright young woman and has considerable musical talent. Walter is a student of the home school "Prairie Gem," District No. 34. This locality affords one of the best school buildings in the county, a modern structure which affords a tower with a bell and many improvements not usually found in country districts. The second daughter, Delia R., is fourteen years of age, and Merril, the youngest son, aged ten years. Mr. Gould never received any legacies but thrift and enterprise, and is entirely self made. He has made rapid strides along the road of progress and has builded for himself and family an exceedingly desirable and pleasant home three miles northwest of Jamestown. He has added to his farm until it now consists of a half section of land and he would now refuse an offer of ten thousand dollars for the ground that was raw, uncultivated prairie but a comparatively few years ago. He paid twenty-five dollars per acre for forty acres of the newly acquired land. Their first dwelling consisted of but one room, 14 by 16 feet in dimensions, one story high. In 1899 a commodious farm house of ten rooms was erected and its modern appointments bespeak the refinement of its matron. In 1890 a substantial barn was built. A young orchard is just beginning to bring its returns. The principal product of his farm is wheat, along with stock raising, cattle, horses and mules. Mr. and Mrs. Gould enjoy and are worthy the highest esteem of the en-tire community, where they have lent their support and influence to every worthy cause that has been promoted for the elevation of mankind or to advance the educational interests of the community. They have an interesting family of children and intend giving them every advantage possible in the way of education and advancement. Mr. Gould has affiliated with the Populists, but is now seeking a new party. He has held township offices for several years and has been an efficient member of the school board. He is one of the solid, prosperous men of his township and his friends include the whole list of his acquaintances. It has been said biography yields to no other subject in point of interest and profit. Especially is this true of the foreign element who have progressed along the various lines of business since seeking homes in America. Many of them have gained wealth and position by taking advantage of the opportunities afforded in the new world. The subject of this sketch has adapted himself to the methods and customs of the American people, and is one of them in spirit, as well as by adoption. Mr. Elniff is a native of Denmark, born in Schleswig, in 1862. Had he been born two years later, would have been a German subject, and, like hundreds of Danes, the Elniffs came to this country rather than take up arms against their native land. When ten years of age Mr. Elniff, with his father's family, sailed for the United States, with Kansas as their final destination. They came directly to Grant township, where they purchased one hundred and sixty acres of Normal School land now included in the farm owned by Mr. Elniff, he having bought the interests of the other heirs to the estate prior to his father's death. Mr. Elniff's parents were Hans Christian and Catherine M. (Maybol) Elniff, both natives of the Kingdom of Denmark. They owned a small tract of ground in their native country but the father supported his family prin-cipally by daily labor until coming to Kansas. Mr. Elniff is one of five chil-dren; four of whom are living. John is an architect of superior ability, and resides in Kansas City. He designed the handsome residence recently erected by O. W. Peterson. Fred H., now of Denmark, was a resident of Jewell county, just over the line from Cloud county, for more than a quarter of a century. He sold the farm and original homestead to Hans Nelson. He is now a retired farmer, with an income that enables him to live without labor. Anna, their only sister, has been twice married. Mr. Erickson died leaving her with several children. She is now married to J. M. Iverson, and lives in Denmark. Both her former and present husband were coppersmiths. Mr. Elniff received a common school education in his native country but what he has acquired in English, has been gained in a practical way, for he started upon his career young in life. He bought the homestead in 1883, receiving a bonded deed, until he had attained his majority. One hundred and fifty dollars, the sum total of hoarded wage money, was all the capital Mr. Elniff could command towards the purchase of a three thousand dollar farm with no improvements other than a dugout. But this was the consideration to be divided among five heirs. The papers were drawn up in the Danish language by themselves and nothing was expended in attorney's fees. Provision was made for the parents in their life time to live on the homestead with the son who purchased it. It was also stipulated in the contract that a comfortable place be at once provided, for the father was afflicted with asthma, whereupon Mr. Elniff immediately erected the residence where he and his family now live, and was one of the first good dwellings in the neighborhood. Mr. Elniff's friends considered him in the light of an inexperienced boy, and predicted a sudden collapse of his "castles," but he was steadfast in his purpose and did not build on the sand. He bought the farm on payment and by raising hogs and cattle, never failed to meet them as they fell due. The father died one year after his son had bought the homestead, and the mother was deceased in 1896. By industry and perseverance Mr. Elniff has met with well deserved success on this side of the Atlantic and stands today one of the most progressive farmers and stock men in Grant township. His farm consists of four hundred acres, and is a valuable, well improved estate, equipped with good, substantial buildings. Mr. Elniff for the past few years has been growing wheat and alfalfa. The proceeds from the latter, in 1902, exceeding those of his wheat. He has a field of fifty acres of alfalfa that yielded largely, and sold for a good round figure. Forty acres of his farm is pasture, while the remainder is largely bottom land. In 18S5 he erected a barn 18 by 48 feet in dimensions with ten foot posts. In 1901 he built a basement barn 20 by 44 feet with sixteen .foot posts, and in 1900 a commodious structure that includes a granary, implement shed, corn crib and wheat bins. The main building is 36 by 44 feet with nine foot posts. Through the center is a 14 foot driveway. His farm is one of the most complete in the county. A reservoir 88 by 88 feet and seven feet in depth is stocked with Ger-man carp. A net drawn through the water will bring up from two to three hundred fish. The reservoir is fed by water drawn from the well by a "Jumbo" windmill. The wheel is a ponderous one, and if it were set upon a tower, instead of so close to the earth, it would be a landmark, such as are seen in Holland, and other European countries. From this pond of water, an ice house 15 by 17 feet in dimensions and eight feet deep is filled with clean cakes of well stored ice. Then there is a stone chicken house with plastered walls and a blacksmith shop equipped for his own convenience. Mr. Elniff undoubtedly possessed the attributes necessary to building up a home in a new country, although for years the resources were not by any means varied nor was there an illusion of excellent prospects, except in a distant and uncertain future. There were repeated crop failures, and at one time Mr. Elniff became discouraged with drought, grasshoppers, and chinch bugs, and in 1889 left Cloud county, determined on finding a home elsewhere. After looking over the situation further west he returned within a month fully satisfied, no better place than Cloud county could be found. He worked very successfully for the Trower Brothers Commission Com-pany, of Kansas City and St. Joe for sixteen months, but decided to give his time and attention to his farm and resigned that position. On February 28, 1885, Mr. Elniff was united in matrimony with Elena Amelia Ruud, a daughter of H." A. Ruud, one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of Grant township. To Mr. and Mrs. Elniff five children have been born, four of whom are living: Sophia Catherine, a young girl of sixteen years. The second daughter is Anna Christina. The third daughter, Martha Helgelena, is named for both her maternal grandparents. May, the fourth daughter, is deceased. William Richard, their only son, is a bright little fellow of three years. Mrs. Elniff is a gentle woman, devoted to her family and home. Her father left Norway, their native land, and came to America in 1868. Mr. Ruud had learned the tailor trade in Christiana and was also night watch in the military service. After coming to America, he worked on the railroad, doing construction work, and went as far west as California. Returning to Chicago, he sent for his family and in the meantime hearing of the new homestead law of Kansas, joined a company of men going to Junction City, the terminus of the railroad. From this point they walked over the country, and drifted into Cloud county. Mr. Torneby, who was one of the company and a bachelor, had a dugout on his claim and of-fered shelter for Mr. Ruud and his family. Mr. Ruud then sent for them, and the family accepted the proffered hospitality until enabled to erect a dugout of their own. The family at this time consisted of but one child
(Mrs. Elniff), the other two having died of scarlet fever. The remaining five children were born in Kansas. The
Ruuds experienced many hardships and were twice drowned out by the flood. The first time their home was destroyed,
provisions, articles of furniture, and clothing, floated around on the water. Mr. Ruud rescued his family from
drowning by pulling them through the one window of their dugout. They were visited by a second disastrous overflow
in 1878, compelling the family to flee for their lives. There were a pair of twin children; Mrs. Ruud taking one
of them in her arms and Mrs. Elniff, carrying the other, waded through water which reached to their shoulders.
Mr. Ruud had been without a team for several years, and when the flood came upon them Mrs. Ruud risked their own
peril to cut the ropes that lariated a horse and some cattle. Through the shocks of wheat that were floating all
around them these terror stricken women waded to dry land. Mr. and Mrs. Ruud have been unfortunate with their children. Ida, a young girl, just dawning upon womanhood, died at the age of sixteen years; Anna died at eight years; Lucy, a very excellent young woman, died at the age of twenty-two; Albert, an exemplary young man of twenty-six years, died in the autumn of 1902; Anton, the only living child, except Mrs. Elniff, is unmarried and lives at home. The subject of this sketch was a Republican in his early career, but he has developed into a reformer, and takes much interest in. political issues. He has filled several minor offices, having served as trustee of his township two years, and as member of the school board. Himself and family are members of the Jewell county Lutheran church. Mr. Elniff is a public spirited man, and any enterprise for the benefit of the coirfmunity receives his staunch support. He is an industrious, energetic, jolly, wholesouled fellow, who.counts his friends by the score, and is deserving of the success which follows his undertakings. He began with neither capital nor influence, and, unaided, has forced his way to prosperity. From a tract of raw land a fine farm, well stocked, and supplied with all the latest improved machinery, substantial buildings, windmills, etc., has developed. Thus is verified the old adage that "Nothing succeeds like success." Oscar W. Peterson, one of the prosperous farmers of Grant township, came to Kansas in 1878 and bought one hundred and sixty acres of Normal school land five miles northwest of Jamestown, where he has built one of the most pretentious and desirable homes in this section of the country. Mr. Peterson paid one-tenth of eight hundred dollars, the consideration to be paid for the land, which consumed all his capital save a wife, who was possessed of equally as much courage and ambition as himself, and two small children. He owned a span of mules but they were not paid for. Between their first humble abode and the handsome residence that now graces the wide lawn there is a marked contrast. The little house of sod with its board roof, dirt floor and no windows sheltered them for months. Its furniture consisted of two chairs, a bedstead brought through on the wagon from Iowa and a few other articles of home make. Here they underwent many hardships and were reduced to less than the price of a postage stamp. With his mules Mr. Peterson did breaking among the neighbors and in this way earned enough to tide them over until better days dawned. While their larder was often reduced to small quantities and few varieties of food they did not actually suffer. Mr. Peterson invested in one hundred and sixty acres of land adjoining his farm on the north but during the hard times had to surrender it, and also lost some real estate in Jamestown during the panic. He was land hungry and when he came to Kansas coveted all the land in sight. Mr. Peterson was born in a suburb now included in the city of Chicago in 1855, and when an infant six months old emigrated with his parents to eastern Iowa and settled on a farm in Jefferson county. His father, Andrew Peterson, came to Cloud county in 1884, and died near Jamestown in 1893. He was a native of Sweden and emigrated to America in 1852. His wife and her two children died of cholera during the scourge in Chicago. He was then married to Sophia Swanson, the mother of our subject. To this marriage four children were born. A brother, Alfred, lives in Portland, Oregon and a sister, Mrs. Johnson, of Phelps county, Nebraska. A son died in infancy. Mrs. Quick, of Thomas county, Kansas, was a daughter by a former marriage of our subject's mother but she was reared with the children of the second union and was a devoted sister. Oscar W. Peterson was married in 1876, to Mary E. Simmons of Jefferson county, Iowa, the place of her nativity and where she grew to womanhood. Her parents were W. R. and C. J. (Crcnshaw) Simmons. Her father died in 1897. Her mother still lives in Jefferson county. To Mr. and Mrs. Peterson six children have been born, two sons and four daughters. The eldest daughter, O. Edna, is a teacher in the fourth grade of the Washington building in Concordia. She was a teacher last year (1901) in the Jamestown schools. She is self-educated, graduated from a four years course in the Concordia high school and holds a first grade certificate. She possesses exceptional ability as a teacher and has achieved well deserved success. Flora L. is living with relatives in Iowa and has not been home but once in a period of four years. Lyda M., an estimable young woman, is a dressmaker by trade but spends much of her time at home. Roy C, an industrious young man of twenty, assists with the farm duties. Ella I., a little daughter of twelve years, and Oscar \V., Jr., nine years of age, are students of the home district and have neither been absent nor tardy during the present year nor all of last year (1901). The commodious residence of nine rooms, built in 1902, is modern in design and architecture, with pantry, bath room, and closets, and is one of the best appointed houses in the vicinity of Jamestown. A model poultry house, built of stone and smoothly plastered, is in course of completion which is one of the rriost modern the writer has ever seen. No accessory of a perfect country home will be lacking when the barn under contemplation is completed. The first story will be a basement of stone and the rock is on the ground ready for dressing. The lawn is wide and deep bordered by flowers and shade trees. Mrs. Peterson is a cultured woman and presides over their pleasant home with gracious hospitality. Mr. Peterson's judgment and good common sense, coupled with the same excellent qualities of his wife, have assisted him in gaining prosperity and the coveted beautiful country place where amid pleasant surroundings they may enjoy with ease and rest the home won by long years of activity. Mr. Peterson is a Democrat politically, has served as clerk and treasurer on the school board for about a dozen years. and has held various township offices. The family are members and active workers of the Jamestown Methodist Episcopal church congregation. The farm of Lewis Gray, one of the old settlers of Grant township, is situated about three miles northwest of Jamestown. Mr. Gray came to Kansas in January, 1872, without capital and located the farm where he now lives. He crossed the salt marsh the first Sunday in January and after homesteading his land had one hundred dollars in cash. He built a little dugout on the banks of Buffalo creek, where he was drowned out after "baching" one year. He then removed his dwelling place about forty rods back and wras again drowned out, the ground being covered with three feet of water. He had a stone crib 12 by 40 feet in the clear and six feet in height filled with corn, much of which was spoiled by the flood, involving a great loss. In 1892 he erected a stone house 30 by 17 feet in dimensions, one and one-half stories high. In 1900 added a frame part 25 by 18 feet, making a commodious and comfortable home. His farm, with its freshly painted residence, latticed porches, good out buildings, including a new and modern poultry house, is an ideal one. His land is beautifully situated on both sides of Buffalo creek which gives him plenty of water and sometimes too much. Timber for fuel in the early days being quite an item prompted Mr. Gray to locate on Buffalo creek. His land is best adapted to wheat and alfalfa, his chief products. He gives con-siderable attention to poultry, raising from three to five hundred chickens annually. Mr. Gray was born in the western part of Pennsylvania, in 1842, where the earlier part of his life was spent in the oil region of Venango and Allegheny counties. He had never farmed until coming to Kansas but worked in the oil fields of his native state. His parents were William and Elizabeth Gray, natives of Prussia. His father died when our subject was eleven years of age and his mother about a quarter of a century ago. Mr. Gray was thrown upon his own resources by the death of his father and contributed to the support of his mother who lived and died in his home. It was not easy for a man to obtain a start by his own labors in the state where he was reared and this prompted Mr. Gray to come west. He is the only living member of a family of five children, four brothers and one sister, the latter dying when an infant. William, the eldest brother died several years ago. He had lived in Kansas but left during the grasshopper year; like many others, he could not see his way out and lost faith in the future of Kansas. Henry was a resident of Grant township and died in 1899, leaving a widow and two children, a son and a daughter, who reside on the farm. John, died at the age of twenty years from injuries received in an accident. Mr. Gray was married in 1880 to Maggie Grayburn, of Pennsylvania, a sister of Mrs. Henry Gray. She came to Kansas with her mother and brother (now deceased) in 1878. To Mr. and Mrs. Gray four children have been born. The eldest died at three and a half years. Those living are, Clarence, aged twenty, Guy and Willie, aged sixteen and twelve years respectively. They are promising boys; the eldest practically operates the farm. Politically Mr. Gray is a Prohibitionist. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of Jamestown congregation. W. C. Christainson, the subject of this sketch, is one of the early pioneers of Grant township, and is one of the most progressive and prosperous farmers in the township. Mr. Christianson is a native of Denmark and was born in the year 1855. When ten years of age, he, with his father's family, emigrated to America and settled in Minnesota on a farm among the lakes; four years later they came overland to Kansas with ox teams. Their object was the same as that of thousands and thousands of others, to secure more land in the sunny state of Kansas. Stephen Christianson. his father, possessed very little capital, but a large family of children, four sons and three daughters; however, a family of sturdy, helpful children was no drawback in the pioneer state. A correspondence with "Father" Nelson was the main-spring of their locating in his neighborhood. Reverend Nelson desired to settle the community with Danes of the Baptist church, he being a minister of that faith. Mr. Christianson still lives on the homestead his father filed on in 1869, and where they built a dugout of two rooms and lived in it several years. In order to "go to mill" Waterville was the nearest point that furnished so great a convenience and necessity as a grist mill, and it was a great meeting point for the settlers. Building in those early days was incurred at a great cost and inconvenience as well. In order to build a house they were compelled to haul down a rock from the hills and burn it to make the lime; with ox teams they hauled the timbers from Waterville. Notwithstanding these dis-advantages, Mr. Christianson decided to build more commodious quarters and hauled the necessary material and erected a stone house consisting of four rooms, the only one in the neighborhood and which was designated as the "big white stone house on the corner." It was plastered and whitewashed and in contrast with the dark and dingy dugouts seemed very fair to look upon. W. C. Christianson is the possessor of four hundred
acres of land and all of which is in a high state of cultivation, which reflects great credit to their industry
and careful management as they came to Kansas with prac-tically nothing. The four Christianson brothers now own
collectively fifteen hundred and twenty acres of land highly improved and a just return for their labors. Mr. Christainson
and his brother Anton passed the summer of 1876 working in the mines of Colorado; while they accumulated five hundred
dollars each and with this capital purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land. Mr. Christianson sold his eighty
to his brother, who now resides upon it, and purchased the homestead in 1884, where he now lives and enjoys the
hallowed memories of the old home. Wheat is almost exclusively raised on the farm, but thirty acres has been sown
to alfalfa. Mr. Christianson was married in 1888 to Marie Eskildsen, a comely and prepossessing young Danish woman who came to America in June, 1888. The parents of both families were friends in the old country. She came to live in Mr. Christianson's family and soon afterward became his wife. Her father, Eskild Jensen, was a Baptist minister in Denmark. Mr. Christianson's eldest sifter, Mrs. Mary Johnson, is now a resident of Washington, near Walla Walla. Christina married John Christianson and moved west with her elder sister and was deceased there. The youngest sister is Mrs. Martha Peterson, wife of the Reverend G. R. Peterson. Mr. Christianson is a Republican in politics. He received the nomination for sheriff of Cloud county in 1898, and was defeated by Morrisette in his second term. He lowered the record about three hundred and was a for-midable opponent. He has served his township two terms as trustee, served several years on the school board and was a director almost continuously until he resigned. He is deeply interested in all political moves, is well read and well posted on all matters of vital interest to the welfare of the country. While in Minnesota Mr. Christianson and his brothers learned the use of fire arms and were therefore capable of enjoying the chase on the Kansas prairies, and hunted the buffalo as long as there were any in the state. It was noticeable with regret after each hunt the herds were being driven beyond the boundary of the Kansas line. Mr. Christianson killed his first buffalo in the spring of 1870 and furnished the family with meat for the first year. He, like hundreds of others, declares those were the happiest days of his life; the freest from care and would gladly live them over again. Mr. Christianson and his family are progressive, stand on their own honor and integrity and have earned for themselves a good name. No foreign element has become more important in our American citizenship than that furnished by Denmark. Her stalwart and industrious sons bring with them stability and enterprise, characteristics of their country. Their dreams of homes on this continent are more than realized, for most of them are prosperous and many have acquired wealth. Of this class of citizens the subject of this sketch, Anton Christianson, of Buffalo township, is a worthy example. He was born in Denmark in the year 1858; when fourteen years of age he emigrated with his parents to America and settled in Minnesota (see sketch of Christ Christianson). When about twenty years of age he began a career for himself and was employed in various capacities. Was one year in the mines of Colorado. Twenty-two years ago a span of horses was his only capital. He now owns two hundred and forty acres of land, one of the most desirable farms in the country that ten thousand dollars would not buy; it is highly cultivated and well improved. Here he has prospered and within that number of years has not had a complete failure of crops; he owes no man a dollar and takes life easy under "his own vine and fig tree." Mr. Christianson's chief product is corn; will have eight thousand bushels the present year, the ground yielding between fifty-five and sixty-five bushels per acre. He is an extensive stock grower, raising Jersey cows and many hogs. Mr. Christianson was married in 1879 to Mrs. Maggie Lied, the widow of Myrick Lied. She left Scotland, her native land, came to Canada when a young girl and later to Michigan, where she lived during her first marriage. In 1878 she came to Kansas and one year subsequently was married to Mr. Christianson. She is an educated woman and has considerable artistic ability. Mr. Christianson votes the Republican ticket and has held local offices at various times. Fraternally he has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for fifteen years. Mr. Christianson is a man of pleasant, agreeable manner and possesses a keen sense of humor which draws around him a large circle of admiring friends. The late Henry Gray and his family were among the early settlers of Grant township. They came in the spring of 1872 when there were but few settlers and not many remain at the present time who were there then. The Gray homestead was first settled by a man who when he had broke out a few furrows of ground received word of an accident that had befallen his wife in the east, and left without filing on the land. Mr. Gray was born in Germany, but when four years of age came with his parents to the United States and settled in Pennsylvania. He was a sol-dier of the Civil war in the Third Battalion, Company G, Eighteenth Regiment of United States Regulars. He experienced the horrors of a southern prison for six months ere he was paroled. He was a valiant soldier and under General Sherman and General Rosecrans participated in many battles. Mr. Gray died in 1899 at the age of fifty-seven years. By his death the community lost one of the best men in the township an industrious, honorable citizen. He accumulated land until with his children he owned five hundred and thirty acres, which has since been divided between his wife, daughter and son who survive him. Mrs. Gray was born in Montreal, Canada, but reared in Pennsylvania, having removed there with her parents when but one year of age. Through the glowing description as depicted by the two brothers who preceded him, Mr. Gray became enthused over the prospect of gaining a home in the west, and with their capital of about one thousand dollars came .on a boat down the Monongahela into the Ohio river, and thence up the Mississippi and Missouri to Atchison. From this point they traveled overland to their destination in a spring wagon. Upon their arrival improvements began. Mr. Gray erected a stone house about 50x16 feet in dimensions, covered with boards for a roof. For several years they experienced all the hardships of the early settlers, brought about by grasshopper raids, drouths, etc. It was three or four years before they raised a crop but managed to keep out of debt. Mr. Gray was a hard working man and gained his estate by hard labor. To Mr. and Mrs. Gray three children have been born, namely: Ophelia, the eldest child, is the wife of Frank Spear, who has been a resident of Grant township almost a dozen years and is a prosperous farmer. He owns two hundred and forty acres of land. They are the parents of two little sons, Vernon Theodore and Hubert Paul. Theodore Charles, their second child, and first son, died at the age of twenty-one years. The second son, Frank Gray, is one of the successful farmers and stockmen of that vicinity. He owns two hundred acres of fine bottom land that raises more corn perhaps than any other farm of the same magnitude in the community. He has a fine orchard that yielded about one hundred bushels of apples the past season (1902). He has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Julia Eichinger, who died six years after their marriage, leaving three children, Nellie, Frank Earl and Earnest Wilbur. His second wife was Miss Nettie Williams. Her parents were old settlers of Jewell county, where she was born and reared. To their union one child has been born, a little daughter, Alice, aged seventeen months. Frank Gray is a public spirited citizen and one of the leading men of the community. Socially he is a member of the Order of Woodmen and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politically he is a Republican. With his mother he keeps a herd of about sixty head of well graded cattle and also raises hogs quite extensively. One of the oldest settlers of Grant township who settled in Cloud county in the year 1869, was the late Hans Olsen, who was deceased in 1889, leaving a wife and five children, four daughters and one son. Amelia, the eldest daughter, is the wife of Edmond Buer, who has just purchased a fine farm five miles south of Jamestown; they are the parents of four children. Mrs. Olsen's three single daughters are Gena, Matilda and Louisa. Peter is the third child and manages his mother's farm, consisting of one hundred and sixty-two acres. Hans Olsen was a native of Norway and emigrated to Kansas when a young man. He made his choice, after looking the ground well oven of the present homestead in the year 1869. Mrs. Olsen was Miss Ellen Peterson, also a native of Norway. She sailed for America to join her lover who had previously left the "land of the midnight sun," to make a home in the new country for his prospective bride. Mr. Olsen owned only a yoke of oxen in the way of a team, and a neighbor wishing to do a kind act offered to go with his ponies to meet and bring back the young stranger. In less than a week Mr. Albritson returned with a letter from Miss Peterson saying she did not know if the man had been sent for her or not, adding if Mr. Olsen was not there to get her at a certain time she would return to the old country. Not hesitating and without delay he yoked up his slow but sure oxen and made all possible speed to do her bidding, met his promised bride at Junction City and brought her to the Lake Sibley fort, where they were married. Theirs was one of the first wedding's celebrated in that locality. Hard lines in many ways were endured by the young husband and wife, but their confidence in the future for better days kept up their courage and in spite of their humble fare, consisting of corn bread and water, were willing to brave these hardships for the sake of a home of their own and to this end bent all their energies and lived to see the fulfillment of their hopes and wishes. They have met with many discouragements in various ways; in 1878 the floods swept away their crops. The confluence of the Buffalo and Cheyenne creeks is on their land and the overflow did much damage. Mrs. Olsen is sixty-one years of age and in conversation said in substance, the best days of her life were in those pioneer times but she would not have the courage to live them over again. She and her family are Lutherans, belonging to St. Luke's congregation, which is located just over the line in Jewell county. "After darkness comes dawn," and these brave people who buffeted the stormy waves of the wide sea in search of prosperity can now enjoy the fruits of their labors in their comfortable little stone cottage of four rooms, under the shadow of the trees planted by their own hands. N. M. French is one of the early settlers of Grant township, emigrating to Cloud county in 1873. The name French is of English origin, the great grandfather and his six brothers having come to America from England and serving as soldiers in the Revolutionary war. All the Frenches of this coun-try so far as have been found are descendants of these ancestors. They set-tled in Vermont, where the father of our subject was born and lived until twenty years of age, when the family removed to a point near Buffalo, New York, and one year later to Canada, where lie was united in marriage to Sarah Taylor and reared a family of five sons and two daughters, viz: Nicholas M., Benjamin D., William J., Daniel E., Walter S. and Bradford C. The daughters are Martha, wife of David McCullough, of Grant township, and Mrs. Rosetta Jones, now of Illinois, but formerly of Cloud county. At one time and for several years the entire family were residents of Grant and Buffalo townships. David E. returned to Canada and Walter S. and Bradford C. are in Oklahoma, the former, however, claiming a residence in Buffalo township. In 1868 the French family removed from Canada to Illinois and in September, 1871, emigrated to Kansas, where the father died in 1901 at the ripe age of eighty-seven years. The wife and mother survives him at the advanced age of eighty-two years. N. M. French located in Livingston county, Illinois, in 1864. He tried the possibilities of California for two or three years and various other places. Returning to Illinois he was married to Caroline Markei, formerly of Ohio, her native state. She was a daughter of John Markel, who died when she was but eleven years of age. The Markels were of Pennsylvania Dutch origin, their ancestors being among the William Penn colonists. Her mother was Jane J. Johnstone, of Ohio, and she died when Mrs. French was seventeen years of age, leaving four other children, two sons and two daughters. Mr. and Mrs. French emigrated to Kansas in 1873. The first four years their residence consisted of a frame house 12x22 feet in dimensions. At the end of that period they erected a granary with a basement underneath. This building was 20x30, divided into three rooms, where they passed seven years very comfortably. In 1885 Mr. French erected a handsome and commodious residence, consisting of fifteen rooms, three halls and two cellars. It is a modern building with up-to-date conveniences and beautiful surroundings. The lawn is wide and seeded to blue grass, beautiful flowers bordering the broad walks. "Whence comes the beauteous progeny of spring They hear a still small voice 'awake. And while the lark is on-the wing, from dust and darkness break, Flowers of all hues laugh in the gale." Mr. and Mrs. French are the parents of five children, who are being reared in the useful school of industry and integrity that will mark their career through life. There are no drones in this busy hive. The eldest son, A. Markel, is married and resides on one of his father's farms, three miles south of the old homestead. His wife, before her marriage, was Mary Daniel, a daughter of Isaac Daniel, of Grant township. The second son, Fred D. L., lives one mile south and one mile east. He is married to Etta, a daughter of Alexander McMillan. The death of their third son just before attaining his majority was a sad blow to Mr. and Mrs. French. He died in February, 1889. Fay S., the fourth son, assists in the duties of the farm. Dencie E., the eldest daughter, is an intelligent and prepossessing young woman. Osey Gail, a bright little daughter, aged eleven years. This family of children have all received their education in the home school district No. 65, with one excqrtion. The eldest son took a law course in the Lawrence University and was admitted to the bar in Douglas county, Kansas. His preference for agriculture and an out door life prompted him to practically give up his profession. Mr. French owns seven hundred and nineteen acres of fine land situated in Grant township. It would seem he must have brought with him to Kansas one of Aladdin's lamps or a fairy wand, as his financial circumstances were limited to a stock of ambition and an energetic wife who stood at the helm with her husband through all his undertakings, and to her wise counsels he owes not a little of his success. Years ago when Mr. French planted the little slips of cottonwood, box-elders, walnuts and ash, that have since grown to luxurious proportions, his wife sadly, almost tearfully, said, "I am so home-sick to see a bird or a tree." Her husband cheerfully replied, "These trees will soon be large enough to climb," but the sad protest came, "I never expect to stay in Kansas to see those trees large enough for that." The large grove that is the envy of many passersby is the result of this planting and evidences the prophetic vision of Mr. French. Mr. French is one of the most extensive wheat growers in the county and the highly culti-vated farm and fine improvements demonstrate that the wave of prosperity has rolled his way. He was one of the first to sow a large acreage and now raises from two to three hundred acres annually. He does not claim as heavy yields per acre as many wheat growers and remarked to the writer, "When my wheat reaches seventeen bushels per acre on an average I consider it good, when it reaches twenty-five bushels exceedingly good, and when it gets up to twenty-eight bushels it is a record breaker." In the year 1897 he threshed between sixty-eight and sixty-nine hundred bushels, the following year, sixty-five hundred bushels. This was of an excellent quality, which he marketed at the goodly price of one dollar per bushel. In 1900 his yield amounted to but forty-five hundred bushels; the present season (1902) he threshed about seventeen hundred bushels, the smallest yield excepting the total failure of 1895, when he did not cut a bundle. Corn has been a second consideration, as 1897 was the last planted by him to any extent. He has forty-five acres of alfalfa, which has yielded heavily and brought good returns. Mr. French is not a partisan politician, though he voted the Democratic ticket several years. He is independent in his views and votes for the best man. He has held various local township offices and is a member of the school board. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen of Jamestown. Mr. and Mrs. French will in all probability spend the remainder of their days calmly and contentedly under their own "vine and fig tree," enjoying their beautiful home and its environments. Charles and Couch Southworth, successful farmers of Grant township, left their former home in Henry county, Illinois, where they were born and reared, and located in Cloud county in 1881. Their father was James Southworth. He was a native of Pennsylvania, but was reared on Lake Chautauqua, New York. When he emigrated to the then new country of Henry county, Illinois, in 1837, they started on a flat-boat via the Allegheny river, down the Ohio and from the mouth of the last named river embarked on a steamer on the Mississippi for Rock Island. In the winter of 1878-9 he visited Kansas and purchased a section of school land and subsequently removed to the farm where he died in 1893. Their mother, who was Miss Elizabeth Hanna before her marriage, died in 1901. Four children survive them: Mrs. Mary McCauley, of Scottsville, Kansas; Mrs. Nannie Keeley, of Lacey Springs, Virginia, and the subjects of this sketch. The brothers own jointly three hundred and twenty acres of excellent land-none better on the face of the earth. Their chief products are wheat and alfalfa. Their field of the latter is probably of the longest standing in the township, having been seeded in 1885. Charles Southworth was married in 1895 to Miss Nannie Guinn, of Pennsylvania, whose parents came to Kansas but returned to their eastern home. They have one child, Ruth, aged five. The Southworth farm is well improved, the commodious residence is surrounded by a wide lawn and many shade trees, and is situated on a prominence of ground which overlooks the agricultural splendor of their fine farm. Among the highly esteemed farmers and financially solid men of the Jamestown locality is J. W. Cutshaw, who came to Kansas in 1870 and home-steaded his present farm. He was born in Marshall county, Indiana, in 1843. When he was nine years old his parents removed to Michigan and settled in Berrien county, near Three Oaks, where Mr. Cutshaw was reared. When eighteen years of age he enlisted in Company K, Sixth Michigan Infantry. and served until 1863, when he was discharged on account of a gunshot wound received in Port Hudson, Louisiana, which disabled him for service. His company commander was Captain Ed. Bacon. Their lieutenant colonel was David Bacon-cousins. The warfare of his company consisted of guard duty, tearing up railroads, etc. Mr. Cutshaw returned to Michigan and lived in different localities of that state until 1870, when he emigrated west. He was unmarried when he secured his prairie claim and erected a little cabin and later a board house. But with the accession of a home all his own, "the young man's fancy lightly turned to thoughts of marriage" and in accordance was wedded to Miss Frances E. Wilson in 1877, whose acquaintance he had formed during his youth in Indiana. Of the eight children torn to their union six are living: Grace L., a promising young girl of fifteen, died in 1893. Earl J. and Carl F. were born at the same birth and are very similar in personality. The resemblance between the twins is so marked they often exercise pranks on their hand-shaking friends. They are manly fine fellows twenty-three years of age. Earl J. is a student on his second year in the Kansas City Dental College. He had previously been a pupil of the Concordia high school for two years. Carl F., who represents the Continental insurance business, is located at Lincoln Center, Kansas. He is a graduate from the Concordia high school. Ralph Roscoe, aged twenty, is interested with his father on the farm. After a course in the Concordia high school he matriculated in the Great Western Business College for two years. The other sons, Lewis Robert and Paul Fulsom, are young men of promise. They are aged nineteen and seventeen years, respectively. Fannie Louise, their only daughter, is a bright 'little girl of thirteen years. These children have been reared in the school of industry as well as book lore, for Mr. Cutshaw owns five hundred and twenty acres of land and is a large wheat and alfalfa grower as well as stockman He owns thirteen quarter sections of uncultivated land in Thomas county, Kansas, which he purchased for ranching and speculative purposes, but believing it will produce good wheat, will put much of it under cultivation. His farm in Buffalo township is all first and second bottom land of excellent quality. The parents of Mr. Cutshaw were Jesephus Arnold and Phoebe (Belangee) Cutshaw. His father was of Dutch origin and Pennsylvania birth. He lived for short periods in Ohio and Illinois, and later in Indiana. He gained a considerable fortune in the gold mines of California in 1849. The family came to Kansas in 1876, where the father and mother both died a few years later. There were six children: Mortimer, who lived in the same vicinity for many years, removed to California, where he died. Cecil Cutshaw is a prominent farmer and lives on an adjoining estate. Until the birth of the Populist party Mr. Cutshaw was a Republican, but is not a partisan politician and votes independently. Socially he is a member of the Woodmen and the Grand Army of the Republic. Although Mr. Cutshaw has experienced his share of the early hardships he has given his sons better educational advantages than the average farmer boy receives and has accumulated an estate that warrants all the comforts of life. He is a typical western farmer and he and his excellent family are among the most desirable citizens oi the community. The subject of this sketch came to Cloud county in 1872 and home-steaded his present farm. Mr. McBride was born in Brown county, Kansas, when that part of the state was on the frontier, before the passing of the homestead law, when land was one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre and before there was a railroad or telegraph wire in the state. Mr. McBride is the oldest born Kansan whom the writer has met in the county, an honor he may justly feel proud of. His parents were William and Eliza (Starns) McBride. His paternal grandparents emigrated to Ohio from Scotland during their early married life, where William McBride was born. A sister of the grandfather is still living there at the age of eighty-eight years. Mr. McBride s father died in 1881, on the farm he homesteaded in Cloud county and where his wife who survives him still lives. Mrs. McBride was born in Indiana. Her father was James Starns and her mother, before her marriage, was Matilda Ware. James Starns was born in Tennessee and removed to Ohio, the birthplace of her mother. They both died in Brown county, Kansas, in 1845. Mrs. McBride emigrated with her parents to Iowa when she was but fifteen years of age and when that state was a territory, a wilderness just beginning to be settled. They emigrated to Brown county, Kansas, in 1856 and for several years lived in dread of the Missouri border ruffians. Jim Lane and his men were camped within a mile of their home and they knew him personally. The family necessarily endured many hardships on the frontier and have lived in all sorts of primitive homes. James McBride, the subject of our sketch, is one of ten children, all of whom are living but the eldest daughter. There were five sons and five daughters. Ellen died at the age of twenty-six years. Emily is the wife of Kenneth McCray, of Decatur county, Kansas. John M., an engineer of Salix, Iowa. James, the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Clara Todd, of Sedan, Kansas. Clay, a farmer near Jamestown. Finley, a harness maker of Mankato. Effie, wife of E. Peck, of Clyde. Gertrude, wife of William Hartwell, of Jamestown, and Ethan, the youngest son, lives with his mother on the homestead. They are all residents of Kansas except one brother who is in Iowa. James McBride was married in 1884 to Georgianna Muir. She was born in Scotland and came with her parents to America when six years of age, located in Pennsylvania and emigrated to Rooks county, Kansas, in 1880. For ancestry see sketch of Mrs. Janette McBride, of Jamestown, who is a sister. Mr. and Mrs. McBride have had born to them four children, three daughters and one son. Gloria May and Lulu Gertrude are prepossessing young ladies of eighteen and sixteen years, respectively. Archie Alexander, their only son, is a promising lad, and Anna Belle, a bright little girl of six years. Mr. McBride owns eighty acres of land; each of the sons were given that amount by their father who was a well-to-do farmer and owned four hundred and eighty acres of land before dividing it between his boys. Mr. McBride is a Republican in politics; fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has been associated with the Jamestown Lodge fourteen years. He is also a member of the Ancient Order United Workmen. H. D. Lay ton, one of the most highly esteemed citizens of Buffalo township, located on the land which comprises his present desirable farm in 1872. Mr. Layton is a native of Morgan county, Illinois, born on a farm near the city of Jacksonville in 1847; reared and educated there, and lived in that community until coming west. His brother, William Layton (see sketch), was located in the eastern part of the state and at his solicitation, our subject came to Nemaha county and from there the two brothers emigrated to Cloud county. As they traveled westward the settlements grew more sparse until by the time they had reached Clyde habitation was limited to a few scattering settlers on the creeks and valleys; the uplands were almost totally unsettled. From Clyde they were directed to certain points along their journey by people telling them to go a certain distance beyond, to the right or to the left of the next shingled house; dwellings with that sort of covering not being numerous. Mr. Layton states when he arrived in Kansas and got off the train at Wetmore he would not have given fifteen cents for the whole state. He carried his hat in his pocket to keep the wind from blowing it away. It was his first introduction into a prairie country and was in perfect sympathy with the fellow who wrote: "The dust it flew, The wind it blew The paint from off the steeple. It blew the tails From off the quails, The microbes off the people." For some time after his arrival in Kansas our subject
(like many of his neighbors) was a single man and lived for two years in a dugout. Two bachelor friends were visiting
him when a blizzard spread over the country, raging unceasingly for forty-eight hours. During the storm the roof
was blown off his stable. They each had a horse which must surely perish if left standing in their unroofed stalls.
So the trio made their way through the blinding blizzard, loosened the straps of the shivering animals and led
them into the dugout. To further shield them from suffering they ripped up some beds and fed them the straw they
contained. Mr. Layton has seen the country develop into a prosperous agricultural region. Their present handsome cottage is built over the cellar, where they lived with a roof over it, for several months. They also lived in a small stone house, now used for a smoke house and considered themselves fortunate to ,have had so comfortable a dwelling. Mr. Layton has prospered, has a pleasant home, owns two hundred and forty acres of fine land and is satisfied to live in the state he once would have gladly deserted. In 1890 he sold all their personal effects and went to Oregon. But after two or three months in the Willamette valley returned, feeling there was no place where a man could make money more easily or be so happy as in Kansas. Mr. Layton's parents were William and Elizabeth (Goodpasture) Layton. His father was of Kentucky birth and emigrated to Illinois before the city of Jacksonville was thought of and on its present site the tall prairie grass was growing undisturbed. He was a blacksmith by occupation. His death occurred when our subject was about twelve years of age. His mother was of Tennessee birth and like the Laytons, the Goodpastures were pioneers in the vicinity of the city of Jacksonville, where a whole settlement of them still hold forth. Mr. Layton is one of eight children who lived to maturity. Of these, five arc now living. William (see sketch), Mrs. James Kemp, of Iowa, Mrs. Maggie Thompson, of Morgan county, Illinois and Mrs. Martha Redwine, a widowed sister who lives alternately in the homes of her brothers. Politically Mr. Layton is a stalwart Democrat. Socially he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Sons and Daughters of Justice. Mr. Layton is a man whose loyalty and honor in all the walks of life have given him an enviable reputation among his fellow men. Of his personal characteristics one of the most conspicuous are his substantial and trustworthy qualities. Lars Poulsen, one of the successful farmers of Cloud county, came to Buffalo township in August, 1870, selected the land he now lives on and at once repaired to Junction City, where he filed on the homestead. From this uncultivated tract of prairie he has developed one of the best farms in the country; but not without suffering many privations. Mr. Poulsen is a native of Denmark, born in 1847. He emigrated to America just at the close of the Civil war leaving his native land just before reaching his twenty-first year and like many of his countrymen, rather than enter the army against his own country he crossed the ocean to build a home and become an American citizen. He was penniless, but succeeded in borrowing the price of passage and joined some Danish friends at Racine, Wisconsin, where he labored as a farm hand until coming to Kansas. His parents were Poul Knutsen and Christina, Sorenson's "dotter." They followed their son to Kansas three years later and homesteaded land where the father died about five years ago and where the mother still lives with her two daughters and one son. The Poulsens were in very limited circumstances and upon one occasion were on the verge of actual starvation. They were reduced to the point of digging up potatoes they had planted and preparing them for food. This appeased their hunger until they received returns from a brother whom they had appealed to in Denmark. When they wrote him of their pitiless condition he at once forwarded them two hundred dollars instead of one hundred dollars, the amount asked for, which proved a God-send, for when the remittance came the potatoes were exhausted. They struggled on for several years, our subject going to Junction City where he worked each winter, as money was more plentiful there. One season he engaged for twenty-two dollars per month, the proceeds to be taken in wheat. In the meantime Mr. Poulsen fell ill and by the time his father who was sent as a substitute reached Junction City wheat had gone up to two dollars per bushel and his employer charged him accordingly. He afterward worked for J. P. King, who proved a benefactor, always treating him with consideration. While in his employ he took in exchange a cow, but before returning with his ox team to bring her home the cow un-fortunately died. Mr. Poulsen began to feel his fate was cast along hard lines when his flagging spirits were raised by the appearance of Mr. King, saying he could take his choice among three others. It was through this employer that Mr. Poulsen got his start in the world, earning a cow and a team. He now owns one hundred and fifty-five acres of finely improved bottom land, intersected by Buffalo creek; raises wheat and corn in about equal proportions and seldom has a failure. The Missouri Pacific Railroad runs through his farm. In 1898 he built an addition to their dwelling, making a comfortable house. He has a good barn and other improvements. Mr. Poulsen has been very unfortunate in his marital relations, having buried two wives. His first wife was walking over the railroad bridge, fell through and died from the effects along with her infant child. The second wife caught a severe cold which resulted in her death. She left an infant which was deceased four months later. His present wife was Kate Mary Madsen, an industrious young Danish woman. They are the parents of five girls and two boys, viz: Minnie, the eldest daughter is sixteen years of age. The others are Ida, Arvig, Esther, Mary, Inez and Moody. Although Mr. Poulsen has been very unfortunate in many ways, under-gone many of the viccisitudes of life and experienced many hardships while the wolf knocked at the door of his primitive dugout, he is now prosperous and happy without a debt to his charge. He is at present a Republican but for several years affiliated with the Populist party. The family are members of Saron Baptist church. It was through "Father" Nelson, the founder of this congregation that the Poulsens emigrated to Kansas. Mr. Poulsen has become a thorough American citizen and is as loyal to Kansas as if born and bred on her soil. He says nothing could induce him to seek a home elsewhere. Like most of his countrymen, he is an industrious, honest man and a good citizen.
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