Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 720 -723

DAVID ALLEY, a worthy and honored representative of the early pioneers of Sedgwick County, is a true type of the energetic, hardy and courageous men who actively assisted in the development of this wonderful region. He came here when the county was first organized. The deer and buffalo had not then fled before the advancing steps of civilization, but were still roaming in the beautiful valley of the Arkansas. Wichita was then but a small hamlet of twenty-five habitations, and adjoining towns have all been built up under his observation. In this rapid development Mr. Alley has taken an important part, and by his sagacity and foresight, while contributing to the welfare of his adopted State, has been enabled to accumulate a very comfortable fortune, although he has but attained middle age. He owns one of the richest and most productive farms in the valley of the Arkansas River, has built a fine residence and barn, and employs all the modern machinery for conducting agricultural pursuits.

             Mr. Alley was born in Mercer County, Mo., Nov. 17, 1845, and is the son of Thomas and Gedida (Gloshen) Alley. His mother, who was widely esteemed for her great worth, died in 1865. His father is an esteemed citizen of Saline County, this State, where he has made his home since 1863, and is profitably engaged in farming.

            Our subject received the benefits of a good common-school education in his native county, and was otherwise well fitted for the battle of life. In 1863 he came from his home in Missouri with his father and settled with him on his farm in Saline County, and engaged with him in its management. Afterward he was employed by the Government in freighting from Ft. Leavenworth to Ft. Dodge, and intervening points, continuing thus engaged for eight years. At the end of that time he decided to turn his attention to the calling to which he had been reared, and chose Sedgwick County as the most desirable part of the country in which to locate. Accordingly, he started on foot for Wichita with a satchel, a gun and a revolver. At night he built a fire on the bank of Chisholm Creek and camped out, as he could find no habitation to shelter him. The next morning he resumed his walk, and calling at a house about five miles from Wichita he managed to get some breakfast. He arrived at Derby with but $5 in his pocket, and there secured work at driving a team for John Allison, and after working for him for awhile, in accordance with his intentions when he came to the county, pre-empted from the Government section 30, Rockford Township, town 29, range 2 east, where he now resides, and has since added by purchase eighty acres more to his land. With characteristic energy he at once set about its improvement, and his diligence and ability have brought him unmeasured success, as is denoted by his residence and ample farm buildings, which are an ornament to the township, his fine blooded cattle, horses and hogs, which compare favorably with the best in this part of the county; his beautiful orchards and gardens, where he raises the smaller fruits in abundance, and the annual income that he derives from other staple products of Kansas.

             Our subject is very fond of the chase, is an expert in the use of the rifle, and has journeyed into other States and Territories on long hunting expeditions. In 1872 he went on a buffalo hunt near Dodge City, and in three weeks killed 300 of those animals. In his hunting tour in Colorado in 1873 he was gone about three months, meeting with good sport and having a most enjoyable trip, in company with Mr. Robert Hunter. In 1875 he went with James Barnes to Texas for the same purpose, being gone on that expedition about five months, and has made several excursions since that time into Indian Territory to hunt deer and antelope. While he was there in 1886 an attempt was made by the United States troops to take him prisoner for trespassing in the Territory; he showed his gun and escaped capture, but his partner, less fortunate, was taken to Pond Creek, held in durance vile for three days, and then allowed to go.

            Mr. Alley was married, Oct, 6, 1875, to Miss Mary E. Barnes, a native of Boone County, Mo. Mrs. Alley was born Jan. 31, 1856, and is the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Hunter) Barnes. She received a liberal common-school education in her native county, is in every way well fitted for her position, and has been an active factor in securing the material prosperity which she and her husband now enjoy. Of their union five children have been born, namely: Louis James, Aug. 16, 1876; Milo B., Jan. 14, 1878; Lillie Pearl, who was born Nov. 8, 1879, died April 7, 1883; Thomas F. was born June 28, 1882; Mamie Lee, May 15, 1884, and Dick, Aug. 16, 1886.

             Socially, our subject is a member of the I. O. O. F., of the Encampment, and of the Sons of Veterans. He is not an active politician, but quietly votes as his sentiments and beliefs dictate with the Democratic party. The handsome lithographic view shown elsewhere of Mr. Alley's residence, indicates the manner in which he has employed a good portion of his time, and that he is a man who gives due attention to his home and his family.

[ Home ]