Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 253 - 254 

CARY W. PRESCOTT, one of the successful and representative citizens of Sedgwick County, lives upon section 21, in Rockford Township. He is both prosperous in his chosen calling and respected and esteemed as a man and a citizen. He was born in Erie County, Pa., April 20, 1845, and is the son of Alva and Sarah Ann (Rogers) Prescott, natives of New York. His father was a carpenter by trade, but also is "a watchman upon the walls of Zion," having been for several years a minister of the United Brethren Church, but at the present time has no charge, but is a local minister of the Methodist Church at Mulvane, Sumner County, this State.

      The subject of this memoir received his education in Ohio, came to Kansas with his parents in 1858, and settled with them in Miami County. During the late Civil War, like so many of our young men, the ardor of a patriot sprang up within his breast, and he longed to join "The proud forms by battle gashed, our country's flag to save," and on the 1st of February, 1864, although but nineteen years of age, enlisted in Company L, 16th Kansas Cavalry, and served until the close of the war. He participated in part of the battles and skirmishes of the notorious Price's raid and of O'Connor's expedition. He was discharged from the service in 1865, and returned to his home on the Kansas plains.

      Having attained his majority and having a natural desire to establish a home of his own, and surround himself with the sweet influences of domestic joys, he wooed and won the affections of Miss Parmelia E. Keith, to whom he was wedded March 18, 1866. His wife was born in Virginia, July 11, 1848, and is the daughter of W. B. and Rebecca (Duvall) Keith, natives of Lewis County, W. Va. Her mother died March 5, 1854, and she removed with her father to Ottawa, Franklin Co., Kan., in 1856, where they remained but a short time, removing from thence to Miami County, in this State, where they lived eighteen years. While a resident of the latter place her father married Miss Mary Butler, in May, 1860. In 1876 he came to Sedgwick County, but a year later removed to Butler County, in this State, where he is still living.

      In 1873 the subject of our sketch came to Sedgwick County, and pre-empted 120 acres of land on section 17, but later purchased a property on section 21, Rockford Township, where he now lives. By diligence and industry he has the land in a condition of excellent tilth, and has it well improved. With good foresight he has set out a fine orchard and an abundance of the smaller fruits, which add materially to the value of the property. The farm is well stocked with good horses and fine cattle, and he finds in that line of business a large pecuniary reward. Both he and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which society he holds the positions of Class-Leader and Steward. In his political faith our subject is a stanch Prohibitionist, but has formerly voted with the Republican party.

     To Mr. and Mrs. Prescott there has been born a family of six children, as follows: William A., whose birth took place Jan. 20, 1869, and who died April 16 of the same year; Charles E., whose birth occurred Feb. 16, 1870; Martha A., who was born June 6, 1874; Minnie L., whose natal day was March 29, 1877; Frances, whose birthday was Aug. 6, 1880, and Carrie A., born Sept. 3, 1883.

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