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Solomon Austin Phenis

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Solomon Austin Phenis

Birth
Preble County, Ohio, USA
Death
1 Jul 1903 (aged 85)
Guthrie, Logan County, Oklahoma, USA
Burial
Guthrie, Logan County, Oklahoma, USA GPS-Latitude: 35.9635297, Longitude: -97.3901597
Memorial ID
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Kansas Collection Books: William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas, Greenwood Co., Part 10:
SOLOMON PHENIS, farmer, Section 13, P. O. Madison, is one of the oldest settlers of this region. Born in Preble County, Ohio, in 1817. His parents removed to Indiana in 1823, and in 1855 he, with five of his neighbors from Hamilton County, that State, started for Kansas, making the journey by ox-team in thirty-four days; and locating upon the banks of a small stream, which has ever since been known as "Phenis Creek," upon the north line of what was then Madison County, bur subsequently became part of Lyon. The party was joined during the same year by a brother of Mr. Phenis (Judge J. R. Phenis) and several of his former neighbors, thus forming quite a settlement. Lawrence was then their nearest post office and the mail was delivered weekly by carriers from that city, the settlers here paying him at the rate of a dollar per month for each family. This continued until the post office was established at Emporia. In 1860, Mr. Phenis was thrown from his horse and his thigh bone broken, which, being imperfectly set, owing to no medical man being at hand, has rendered him a cripple for life, and in spite of of his earnest desire to do so, prevented his entering the army. In 1863, he removed to this county, locating on a farm on Section 25, Town 22, Range 12, this township, where he remained until October, 1880, when he sold it and removed to his present one, which is nearer town, and upon which he has built a very fine house, the interior of which is very conveniently arranged and thoroughly furnished throughout, costing $1,500. Nearly half of his present farm is under cultivation, his corn yield being fifty-five bushels per acre. In 1839, Mr. Phenis married Miss Sarah Coats, who bore him thirteen children, the eldest of whom, Cyrus, born May 23, 1841, enlisted May 13, 1862, in Company B, Ninth Kansas Cavalry, and served three years, being discharged May 18, 1865, and who, while upon his return home was taken ill, and died at Emporia upon the anniversary of his birth, May 23, 1865. The remaining nine children now left to Mr. Phenis are Esley, born August 28, 1842; John Newton, born June 11, 1847; Isaac, January 23, 1848; Charles, February 14, 1850; William Riley April 14, 1852; Evangeline, April 2, 1854; Nina, January 23, 1858;Hannah, February 28, 1861; and Ellsworth, April 21, 1862. All save the youngest are married, and all reside in the State and have made the subject of this sketch a grandfather no less than twenty-two times. Mrs. Phenis died October 11, 1876, and on January 18, 1877, he married his present consort, Mrs. Elizabeth Jones, nee Harrison, who is also one of the earlier settlers of the State. Mr. P. has never cared to accept any office, and, although twice elected County Commissioner, refused to serve; upon the last occasion, although compelled to qualify in order to satisfy the desires of his friends, he resigned the next day. His brother, I. R. Phenis, is Probate Judge of the county.
Kansas Collection Books: William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas, Greenwood Co., Part 10:
SOLOMON PHENIS, farmer, Section 13, P. O. Madison, is one of the oldest settlers of this region. Born in Preble County, Ohio, in 1817. His parents removed to Indiana in 1823, and in 1855 he, with five of his neighbors from Hamilton County, that State, started for Kansas, making the journey by ox-team in thirty-four days; and locating upon the banks of a small stream, which has ever since been known as "Phenis Creek," upon the north line of what was then Madison County, bur subsequently became part of Lyon. The party was joined during the same year by a brother of Mr. Phenis (Judge J. R. Phenis) and several of his former neighbors, thus forming quite a settlement. Lawrence was then their nearest post office and the mail was delivered weekly by carriers from that city, the settlers here paying him at the rate of a dollar per month for each family. This continued until the post office was established at Emporia. In 1860, Mr. Phenis was thrown from his horse and his thigh bone broken, which, being imperfectly set, owing to no medical man being at hand, has rendered him a cripple for life, and in spite of of his earnest desire to do so, prevented his entering the army. In 1863, he removed to this county, locating on a farm on Section 25, Town 22, Range 12, this township, where he remained until October, 1880, when he sold it and removed to his present one, which is nearer town, and upon which he has built a very fine house, the interior of which is very conveniently arranged and thoroughly furnished throughout, costing $1,500. Nearly half of his present farm is under cultivation, his corn yield being fifty-five bushels per acre. In 1839, Mr. Phenis married Miss Sarah Coats, who bore him thirteen children, the eldest of whom, Cyrus, born May 23, 1841, enlisted May 13, 1862, in Company B, Ninth Kansas Cavalry, and served three years, being discharged May 18, 1865, and who, while upon his return home was taken ill, and died at Emporia upon the anniversary of his birth, May 23, 1865. The remaining nine children now left to Mr. Phenis are Esley, born August 28, 1842; John Newton, born June 11, 1847; Isaac, January 23, 1848; Charles, February 14, 1850; William Riley April 14, 1852; Evangeline, April 2, 1854; Nina, January 23, 1858;Hannah, February 28, 1861; and Ellsworth, April 21, 1862. All save the youngest are married, and all reside in the State and have made the subject of this sketch a grandfather no less than twenty-two times. Mrs. Phenis died October 11, 1876, and on January 18, 1877, he married his present consort, Mrs. Elizabeth Jones, nee Harrison, who is also one of the earlier settlers of the State. Mr. P. has never cared to accept any office, and, although twice elected County Commissioner, refused to serve; upon the last occasion, although compelled to qualify in order to satisfy the desires of his friends, he resigned the next day. His brother, I. R. Phenis, is Probate Judge of the county.


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