Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 239 - 240

WILLIAM CAUGHEY. Among the reliable, substantial and prosperous farmers of Valley Center Township, there is probably none who stands higher in the public estimation than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He is a native of Ohio, born in Muskingum County, March 18, 1831. His parents, William and Jane (Stewart) Caughey, were natives of the North of Ireland and Pennsylvania respectively.

      The father of our subject came to the United States in early life, and was engaged in farming in Ohio until his death, which occurred in 1867. His most excellent wife survived him until 1878. The former had been a millwright when a young man, for a number of years, but gave it up to pursue agriculture. He was a Republican in politics, and always manifested considerable interest in the political campaigns of the country. He was the father of eight children, as follows: Jane, who died unmarried at the age of twenty-two years; her death occurred Dec. 22, 1839; she was a good Christian woman. Rebecca became the wife of Ebenezer Martin, a native of Pennsylvania, who died in December, 1849, leaving his widow with three children, one boy and two girls, all of whom are residents of the State of Ohio; Mary Ann, who died Dec. 23, 1839, while in her childhood; Nancy and Nathaniel, the next in order of birth, were twins; Nathaniel died Dec. 25, 1839, and Nancy, Mrs. Eli Osler, is living on a farm in Ohio. Sarah wedded James Osler, a native of Maryland. The other two children were Eliza and William, the former of whom died of scarlet fever in 1839, and the latter is the gentleman who is the subject of this personal biography. 

     When he was about fourteen years of age, Mr. Caughey commenced to depend upon the results of his own labors, working at agricultural pursuits in his native State. He, however, did not leave the parental roof until the death of both his father and mother, and upon him in his last years at home devolved the greater part of the management and work of the family homestead. In 1882, seeking a field in which to extend his efforts toward obtaining a competency, he came to Kansas, and settled in Valley Center Township, in this county, on section 36. He at first purchased a tract of 160 acres of land, but has since added largely to the farm, making in all 320. In December, 1885, he entered into the mercantile business in the village, opening a grocery and bakery, which he is operating and at the same time manages his extensive grain and stock raising occupation. 

     While a resident of the place of his nativity, on the 7th of February, 1855, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Dixon, a native of Cecil County, Md., who was born Nov. 12, 1832. The bride is the daughter of Thomas and Sarah Ann (Norington) Dixon, both of whom were also natives of Maryland. Her father followed the peaceful avocation of a farmer most of his days, but in his declining years was enabled to retire from an active participation in business. He died in the State of Ohio, in 1873. His wife was a most excellent Christian woman, and had in her early years been a member of the Presbyterian Church, but died Feb. 8, 1864, a communicant of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They were the parents of seven children, six girls and one boy, as follows: Catherine Jane, the widow of Eli Metcalf, her husband having died in 1879, leaving her with seven children; she is a resident at the present of Ohio. Mary E., the wife of Mr. Caughey, and Sarah Ann were twins; the latter married Samuel Johnston, a retired blacksmith, and is living in Newton, Kan. Hannah M. married Hugh Dyer, a farmer, but died in 1864, leaving two children to mourn their loss; Margaret F., Mrs. Alexander Atchison, is a resident of Kansas, where her husband is engaged at the blacksmith trade; Thomas Jefferson, who married Miss Mary Ann Young, is a farmer in Muskingum County, Ohio; and Nancy Rebecca, wife of John Walters, died in 1870, leaving four children. Mrs. Caughey received a most excellent education in the superior district schools of her native State, and is an intelligent and well-read lady. 

     A family of four children blesses the union of Mr. and Mrs. Caughey. They are as follows: Anna Eliza, who is the wife of Ellwood L. Dague, a clerk in a wholesale mercantile house in Wichita, and the mother of two children, Edna May and Wilmer; Nannie Margaret, living at home; Emma Jane, who wedded Ernest Boyle, who is engaged in the agricultural implement business at Valley Center; and Minnie M., who is living at home and attending school. Mr. and Mrs. Caughey are both sincere and Christian members of the United Presbyterian Church, having been connected with that communion since 1855. For the past four years Mr. Caughey has held the office of Elder in the church at Valley Center.

[ Home ]