America

Kansas

Abbey

William Abbey born 1807 in Yorkshire, married Sarah Wallace. They emigrated to America with 2 sons, one died at sea. J.S born 1839 in Yorkshire arrived in the States with his parents. The small family settled in Lake County, Ohio (the home of President Garfield) where they began farming. William died in 1881 leaving a family of 8 children. His son J.S joined the Union army in 1861, serving with Company A, 4th. Illinois Cavalry. He was one of the orderlies who carried dispatches from gen. Grant to Rosecrans. After the war, JS returned to his home, married and settled on a farm in Nebraska near Salem, where he lived until he moved to Kansas in 1877, where he bought the Steven's homestead. JS and his wife had 5 children.

Pratt

Abraham PRATT of Ripon, Yorkshire went to Kansas in 1878. He built a dugout on the south fork of the Solomon River in eastern Sheridan County. His son, John Fenton joined his father from Yorkshire in 1880, then younger son Tom joined them in 1882. The 3 men became successful sheep farmers. In 1888, Fenton sent for his Yorkshire sweetheart, Jennie Place. After the death of Abraham in 1901, Fenton and Tom went into more general farming. The State of Kansas bought Fenton's farm house, outbuildings and land in 1983 and it is now a state historical site.