Person:Count Steel (2)

Count & Emma raised her grandson, Ray Charles Brake - her daughter Allia died and the boys father Ray Brake left his son with Emma.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4} Blackmar, Frank Wilson. Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc. (Chicago [Illinois]: Standard Pub. Co., c1912)
   Supplementary volume, Part 1: 331-333.

   Count Sobieski Steel, justice of the peace at Uniontown, Kan., was born at Port Byron, Cayuga county, New York, Oct. 30, 1833, son of Elisha and Mary (Hadden) Steel, the former born in Connecticut in 1801, and died at Logansport, Ind., May 29, 1848, and the mother was born in New York in 1804 and died at Mishawaka, Ind., April 28, 1860. The Steel family came from Essex, England, the first American member of the family being John Steel, who immigrated to this country, in 1631, and located in New Town, now Cambridge, Mass. His fifth descendant was Jobe Steel, Count S. Steel's grandfather. Jobe Steel married Olive Stoddard, served in the American army during the war of 1812, and died in February, 1813, while home on furlough. His first child was Elisha, Count's father. Elisha Steel was reared on the lake and learned to be a boat builder on the Erie canal and at Port Byron. In 1825 he married Mary Hadden and in 1843, accompanied by his wife and seven children, went by way of the canal and the great lakes to Loganport, Ind., where he built canal boats until his death. Count S. Steel secured very little early education, as he attended school only seven terms— two in New York state and the rest at Logansport. Since that time his education has been acquired by his own efforts, and he is a well informed man. Soon after his father's death Count S. started out in life for himself. He first shipped as cook on a canal boat, the "Mill Boy," which ran to Lafayette and Toledo, and on the homeward trip served as boat driver on the "S. Taylor." He then returned to Logansport and gave his savings to his mother. During the winter of 1848-49 he attended school, and in 1851 shipped on a canal packet as cabin boy, making the run from Toledo, Ohio, to Terre Haute, Ind., on the Wabash and Erie canal. In 1852 his mother married James Pratt and the family moved to the latter's farm in Marshall county, Ind. In August of that year, Count S. returned to Logansport and started to learn the blacksmith trade, but in May, 1853, became steward of a hotel at Logansport. In June he gave that up and went to Rochester, Ind., and started in again to learn his trade, and also to make wrought iron from the ore. In November he left the forge and went to Peoria, Ill., and commenced smithing for Shepler & Reding of that city, but soon left to become engineer on a boat called the "Chief Engineer." With it he made the trip to St. Louis, Mo., where the boat was laid up for the winter and Mr. Steel became caretaker or watchman. In the spring of 1854 he shipped on the same boat, as assistant engineer, and worked in that capacity until the close of navigation in the fall. He then returned to Indiana and opened a blacksmith shop about one mile from Maxinkuckee Lake. He became convinced that there was still much to be learned about his trade and, with forty-five cents in his pocket, started and walked to LaPorte and secured a job in a carriage shop. In October he reached Chicago and, having no money, hunted for work at his trade. Not being successful, he shipped on a canal boat as steersman. He made the trip from Chicago to LaSalle, Ill., where he left the boat and went down the Illinois river to Peoria. He began work in a carriage shop there, and it was in Peoria that he cast his first vote, for John C. Fremont. He remained in Peoria until the spring of 1857 and then returned to Marshall county, Indiana. He worked in a carriage factory there for a year and then moved his mother and sisters to Mishawaka, Ind. The next year the Mishawaka Carriage & Wagon Company was organized and Mr. Steel became a member of the firm and stockholder, but continued to work at the forge. In 1858 he ironed a two-seated cutter that took the highest award at the United States Fair at Chicago. On March 4, 1859, Mr. Steel married Elizabeth M. Collins, of Mishawaka, and the next year they started to drive from Indiana to Kansas, arriving at Fort Scott, June 16, 1860. On July 12, they came to Marion township and Mr. Steel opened a blacksmith shop at Rockford, but in the fall of 1861 began farming on a homestead, which he preëmpted. On Aug. 22, 1862, he enlisted in the Second Kansas battery, commanded by Maj. C. W. Blair. On Oct. 28, 1863, he was commissioned first lieutenant of Company G, Fourteenth Kansas cavalry, which served in Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and the Indian Territory. Among the engagements in which Mr. Steel took part were Jenkins' Ferry and the many skirmishes along the border. On June 2, 1865, he was commissioned regimental commissary, with rank of first lieutenant, and was honorably discharged and mustered out of the service, June 25, 1865, at Fort Gibson, Cherokee Nation. After the close of the war he returned to his farm and remained there until March 14, 1874, when he came to Uniontown and started a blacksmith shop, where he has continuously been engaged to the present time. Mr. Steel has always been a Republican; he has served as school director, road overseer, and township trustee; in 1873 represented his district in the state legislature, and he has been justice of the peace at Uniontown for twelve years. He studied law and, in 1890, was admitted to practice at Fort Scott. Four children have been born to Mr. Steel and his wife: Mary E., wife of Dr. C. J. Helm, of LaHarpe; Maude, wife of Roland Hughes, of Kansas City; Nettie S., wife of George Cawden, of LaHarpe; and Katie, deceased, who was the wife of W. J. Waters, of Uniontown. Mrs. Steel died in 1893, and on April 28, 1896, Mr. Steel married Mrs. Emma R. Puliam, of Fort Scott. He is a Mason, belongs to the United Workmen, Degree of Honor, and the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Steel came to this state when it was little settled and in his day has seen many changes; the Great American Desert has become fine farm land and today Kansas is one of the leading agricultural states of the Union. Having had a hard fight to start in life himself, Mr. Steel has taught fourteen boys his trade, in order to encourage and give them the start for which he had to work so hard.

2. ↑ ^2.0 2.1 Bourbon, Kansas, United States. 1865 Kansas State Census
   Marion, p. 6, dwelling 594, family 594.

   Name Age
   C S Steel 31
   Elizabeth Steel 32
   Mary Steel 6
   Ada Steel 4
   Sarah E Steel 2
   James Collins 73
   M V Hinton 20
   Mary Rointer 16

3. ↑ ^3.0 3.1 Bourbon, Kansas, United States. 1875 Kansas State Census
   Marion, p. 36, family 242.

   Name Age
   C S Steel 41
   E M Steel 41
   Mary Steel 15
   E M E Steel 13
   Browny Steel 11
   Kate Steel 8
   Wm Shlley 20
   James Colens 83
   Moses Steel 47

4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2} Kansas State Board of Agriculture. Decennial census of Kansas 1895: Bourbon County, Kansas. (Topeka: Kansas State Historical Society, 1957)
   Uniontown, p. 4-5, dwelling 23, family 24.

   Name Age
   C J Halm 38
   Mary E Halm 35 (Count's daughter)
   Fred S Halm 17
   C S Steel 61

5. ↑ Kansas State Board of Agriculture. 1905 Kansas State Census: Bourbon County, Kansas. (Topeka: Kansas State Historical Society)
   Uniontown, p. 2, dwelling 12, family 12.

   Name Age
   C S Steel 70
   Ema R Steel 58
   Ray Steel 2 - Emma's grandson from her daughter Allia

6. ↑ Bourbon, Kansas, United States. 1915 Kansas State Census
   Uniontown, p. 05, dwelling 18.

   Name Age
   C S Steel 80
   E R Steel 68
   Cas R Broke 13 - Emma's grandson from her daughter Allia
   Samuel C McWhite 83

7. ↑ Cass, Indiana, United States. 1850 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration Publication M432)
   M432, roll M432_137, Eel, p. 518A (stamped), dwelling 208, family 217.

   Name Age
   Mary Steel 40
   Morris H Steel 23
   Leander Steel 21
   Count S Steel 16
   Elisha Steel 13
   Olivia Steel 10
   Leonard Steel 7

8. ↑ ^8.0 8.1 Bourbon, Kansas Territory, United States. 1860 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration Publication M693)
   M653, roll M653_346, p. 30, dwelling 499, family 499.

   Name Age
   Count S Steel 26
   Elizabeth Steel 26
   Mary Steel 6/12
   Ada Collins 23
   Leonard Steel 17

9. ↑ ^9.0 9.1 Bourbon, Kansas, United States. 1870 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration Publication M593)
   M593, roll M593_429, Marion, p. 18, dwelling 126, family 126.

   Name Age
   Count S Steel 36
   Chloe Steel 37
   Mollie Steel 10
   Addie Steel 8
   Browney Steel 6
   Catherine Steel 4
   John Johnson 16

10. ↑ ^10.0 10.1 Bourbon, Kansas, United States. 1880 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration Publication T9)
    T9, roll T9_373, Uniontown, enumeration district (ED) 29, p. 11, dwelling 88.

    Name Age
    Count S. Steel 45
    Elizebeth M. Steel 44
    John H. Patterson 29 - boarder
    Henry Young 15 - boarder
    George Richardson 34 - boarder

11. ↑ ^11.0 11.1 Bourbon, Kansas, United States. 1910 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration Publication T624)
    T624, roll T624_432, Marion, enumeration district (ED) 50, sheet 9A, family 14.

    Name Age
    Count S Steel 75
    Emma R Steel 63
    Chas Brake 8 - Emma's grandson from her daughter Allia

12. ↑ ^12.0 12.1 Kansas State Board of Agriculture. Decennial census, Kansas 1885: Bourbon County, Kansas. (Topeka: Kansas State Historical Society, 1969)
    Marion, p. 30, dwelling 163, family 170.

    Kansas State Census Collection, 1885
    
    Name: C S Steele
    Age: 50
    Sex: Male
    Color: White
    Marital Status: Married
    Occupation: Black Smith
    Birthplace: NY
    Where from to Kansas: Ind?
    Census date: 1 Mar 1885
    Residence: Uniontown, Marion, Bourbon Co., KS
    
    Household Members:
    Name Age
    C S Steele 50
    Clve Steele 48

13. ↑ ^{13.0 13.1 13.2} Bourbon, Kansas, United States. 1900 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration Publication T623)
    T623, roll T623_471, Marion, enumeration district (ED) 43, sheet 1B, dwelling 19, family 19.

    Washington Street
    
    Name Age
    Count Steele 65
    Emma R Steele 53
    Allia Pulliam 26 - Emma's child from previous marriage
    Acy Galloy 19

14. ↑ ^{14.0 14.1 14.2} National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970
    Membership application of Charles John Halm, 82372.
15. ↑ ^{15.0 15.1 15.2} National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970
    Membership application of Donald Alexander Wasson, 85541.
16. ↑ Cayuga, New York, United States. 1840 U.S. Census Population Schedule
    M704, roll 203, Mentz, p. 203, line 24, E Steele.
17. ↑ Bourbon, Kansas, United States. 1870 U.S. Census Agricultural Schedule
    M593, roll 8, Bourbon, p. 1, dwelling line 20, Count S. Steel.

    Count had 140 acres of improved land, 70 acres of woodland, and 260 acres of other unimproved land. The farm had a cash value of $6000 and $600 of farm implements and machinery. He paid $300 in wages during the previous year.
    
    They owned 6 horses, 2 mules, 10 milch cows, 45 other oxen and 25 pigs. The value of livestock was $2100.
    
    The farm produced 150 bushels of wheat in the winter and 700 bushels of Indian Corn.

18. ↑ Bourbon, Kansas, United States. 1880 U.S. Census Manufacturing Schedule
    T9, roll 39, Marion, enumeration district (ED) 29, p. 1, (line 1) Count S. Steele.

    Capital invested in business: $700
    Greatest number of hands employed at any one time: 3
    Average number of hands employed: 2 males above 16 years
    Number of hours in the ordinary day of labour: 11 May-Nov, 9 Nov-May
    Average days wages: $50
    Total wages paid during the year: $500
    Months of operation: 12 on full time
    Value of material: $300
    Value of product: $1400

19.   United States. Veterans Administration. Veterans Administration pension payment cards, 1907-1933. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M850, 1971-1976)
    Emma R. Steel, widow of Count S. Steel, certificate 872897.
20.   United States. Pensions Index, Civil War to 1900
    Count S. Steel, invalid application 1006663, certificate 703417.
21. ↑ "Uniontown Cicerone and Redfield Ledger" 7 Mar 1919
    "The Ft. Scott Weekly Tribune Monitor" 6 Mar 1919
    "Bronson Pilot" 14 Mar 1919
    all state that he married Elizabeth Collins at Mishawaka in 1858.
22. ↑ Enlisted in Kansas Company G, 14th Cavalry
    
    Enlisted 22 Aug 62 with 2nd KS Artillery;
    Commissioned 28 Oct 63 with 14th KS Cavalry;
    fought in KS, AR, MO and Indian Territory,
    mustered out 25 Jun 65
    
    
    From Ancestry.com:
    Regimental History
    Fourteenth Cavalry
    KANSAS
    (3-YEARS)
    
    Fourteenth Cavalry. -- Col. Charles W. Blair; Lieut.-Cols., Charles W. Blair, John G. Brown, J. Finn Hill, Majs., Daniel H. David Charles Willetts, John G. Brown, J. Finn Hill, William 0. Gould.
    
    This regiment was recruited during the summer and fall of 1863 under authority received by Gen. Blunt from the war department. It rendezvoused at Fort Scott, and was mustered into the U. S. service Nov. 20, 1863.
    
    On the same day it started for Fort Smith' Ark., under the command of Lieut.-Col. Moonlight of the 11th cavalry, and arrived at its destination on Dec. 3. It remained there until Feb. 23, 1864, performing picket, scout and forage duty, and then moved on an expedition into the Choctaw country.
    
    It was stationed at Ozark, Ark., from Feb. 28 to April 6, when it moved on the Camden expedition as part of Bassett's (3rd cavalry) brigade, Thayer's frontier division, which formed a junction with the 7th corps, under Gen. Steele on the 11th at the Little Missouri river. It participated in the skirmishes at Prairie d'Ane and Moscow and was complimented by Gen. Thayer for its coolness and bravery.
    
    A detachment of 92 officers and men from the 14th was engaged at Poison Springs, losing 9 men killed and captured. After the evacuation of Camden, Cos. F and G took part in the engagement at Jenkins' ferry, being the only Federal cavalry present.
    
    In May the regiment returned to Fort Smith, where it was stationed for the balance of the year, performing guard, picket, scout and escort duty and sustaining some losses.
    During the campaign against Gen. Price in the fall of 1864, Co. E, Lieut. William B. Clark, served as personal escort to Maj.-Gen. Blunt, and distinguished itself at Cabin Creek, Westport, Mine Creek and Newtonia.
    
    On Jan. 1, 1865 the 14th was ordered to Clarksville, Ark., where, with the rest of the 3rd brigade, it guarded the navigation of the Arkansas River and was almost daily engaged with some of the irregular forces of the enemy with which the
    region swarmed. One of the important services rendered was to succor the wounded soldiers, passengers and crew of the steamer "Annie Jacobs", which had been attacked and disabled by a force under Col. Brooks 15 miles above Clarksville.
    
    On another occasion a battalion of the 14th led by Maj. Willetts made a scout 125 miles northeast of Clarksville into the Bear Creek country. In the latter part of Feb., 1865, the regiment was ordered to Pine Bluff, having been assigned to the 2nd brigade, 2nd division 7th corps.
    
    While there it was armed with the Spencer carbine, and served dismounted as infantry. Early in May it was ordered to Fort Gibson, Ind. Ter., where it was mustered out June 25, 1865.
    
    It will be observed that most of its two years' term of service was spent in the Department of Arkansas and in defending the line of the Arkansas River. Its loss by death during service was 1 officer and 50 enlisted men killed and died of wounds, 2 officers and 106 enlisted men died from disease, accident and other causes.
    
    Source: The Union Army, vol. 4, p. 216
    
    Battles Fought
    Fought on 21 Aug 1863 at Lawrence, KS.
    Fought on 3 Sep 1863 at Waldron, AR.
    Fought on 5 Oct 1863 at Baxter Springs, KS.
    Fought on 6 Oct 1863 at Baxter Springs, KS.
    Fought on 9 Oct 1863 at Fort Scott, KS.
    Fought on 12 Dec 1863 at Ozark, AR.
    Fought on 6 Mar 1864 at Flint Creek, AR.
    Fought on 13 Apr 1864 at Camden, AR.
    Fought on 14 Apr 1864 at Camden, AR.
    Fought on 18 Apr 1864 at Poison Spring, AR.
    Fought on 19 Apr 1864 at Kiowish River, CN.
    Fought on 26 Apr 1864.
    Fought on 7 Jul 1864 at Fort Smith, AR.
    Fought on 14 Jul 1864 at Ozark, AR.
    Fought on 15 Jul 1864 at Ozark, AR.
    Fought on 17 Jul 1864 at Ozark, AR.
    Fought on 31 Jul 1864 at Fort Smith, AR.
    Fought on 16 Aug 1864.
    
    Fought on 15 Sep 1864 at Flat Rock, CN.
    Fought on 19 Sep 1864 at Waldron, AR.
    Fought on 19 Sep 1864 at Cabin Creek, CN.
    Fought on 20 Sep 1864 at Fort Smith, AR.
    Fought on 26 Sep 1864 at Fort Smith, AR.
    Fought on 27 Sep 1864 at Fort Smith, AR.
    Fought on 18 Jun 1865.
23.   Uniontown Cicerone and Redfield Ledger
    1 Nov 1918
    
    "Count S. Steel´s 84th birthday celebrated with old civil war comrades: L. D. Bulla, W. H. Bryant, S. H. Hite, L. Stroud, Jake Anderson, W. T. Cowan, R. H. Ramsey 10th Kans. Vol. Inft Co. E."