PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF SEDGWICK CO. KANSAS-1888

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MR. CHARLES SOUTHWICK , an enterprising farmer and stock raiser on Section 19, Garden Plain Township, was born in Deerfield, Livingston Co., Michigan, August 2, 1862.

His parents, Rawson and Emily (Hutchins) Southwick, were both natives of New York. His father having been born in Cayuga County, June 17, 1815, and his mother in Herkimer County, October 10, 1821. The parents of both moved to Michigan in the early days of its settlement, and bought heavily timbered land of the government, where they cleared up spaces to erect log cabins. In their Michigan home the children of both families grew to maturity, and in Lenawee County, June 28, 1840, the parents of Mr. Southwick were united in marriage. His father afterward carried on farming, having bought 160 acres of land, residing there until 1870. He assisted building the first railway in Michigan, which extended from Toledo, Ohio to Adrian; the rails were made of wood, but afterward improved by putting on strap iron, the cars being drawn by horses. Adrian was then a small town, with only one store of general merchandise.

To Mr. and Mrs. Charles Southwick were born six children: Bryan Hawley (Myron Holley), Norman Mason, Sarah Louisa, Harley Sabin, Lucy Edith, and Charles Leroy.

Myron, being born in Hudson, Lenawee Co., Michigan, October 7, 1842, is a banker in Gage County, Nebraska: he was a soldier in the Civil War; and served 18 months as Hospital Steward; he is married and has two children.

Norman, born in Hudson, Michigan; September 22, 1846; is a clerk in a store in Wichita, he is married and has three children.

Sarah, born in Wright, Hillsdale County, Michigan; July 15, 1849; married Alvin Warden, now deceased; she lives in Shenadoah, Page County, Iowa; and has one child. Her husband was a railroad engineer, and lost his life in a wreck near Humeston, Iowa, being found under the engine with his hand on the throttle.

Harley, born in Hudson, Michigan, June 24, 1857, and died June 1, 1862.

Lucy born in Hudson, Michigan; December 23, 1859, married Andrew Coleman; she died June 19, 1880.

In 1870, Mr. (Rawson) Southwick, with all his family except his oldest son; who had preceeded him, moved to Iowa, and settled in Union County, where he bought 160 acres of land, which he improved, remaining there four years.

In 1874, deeming a removal to Kansas advantageous, he disposed of his farm and coming to Sedgwick County with such members of his family who had not established homes of their own, he pre-empted his present homestead. His son Norman pre-empted another quarter acre across the road from him.

Mr. (Rawson) Southwick bought another 160 acres of land which his son Charles, the subject of this sketch, bought from him in 1883. He and his wife were worthy members of the Baptist Church, where Mr. Southwick served as Deacon until his death, June 16, 1885. His life record was an honorable one and his loss will long be felt in this community, of which he was a valued and respected member.

Charles L. Southwick, of whom we write, received a common-school education, which was supplemented by further study in Corning, Iowa; he also received a good training in husbandry from his father who was a good farmer.

He was married September 28, 1882, to Miss Lue Alice, daughter of Jonas and Susan (Dockins) Pipkin. She was born in Gibson County, Tennessee; January 17, 1864. Since the marriage of our subject, he has lived on his father's homestead. To him and his wife have been born three children: Oliver Marshall, August 2, 1883; Theodore Myron, September 24, 1884; and Pearl, born December 12, 1887 and died February 12, 1888.

Mr. Southwick holds a prominent place among the intelligent young farmers of Sedgwick County, and his integrity, manliness, and true Christian character have won the respect of the entire community. Religiously, he is a faithful member of the Baptist Church.