GEORGE W ULSH

Among the well-known characters and old residents of Brown county the name which heads this biography stands out with conspicuous prominence. He became connected with the citizenship of the county at a time when patriotic and loyal men were at a premium over a large portion of our country, and when to openly advocate sentiments in opposition to the established social customs, and attack the one reigning evil social institution of our country, the finish of which was already begun, was to endanger and put in jeopardy both property and life. In 1861 the "opposition" to human slavery and advocates of the principle met in open rebellion. The war spirit extended throughout the length and breadth of the land. Kansas was strongly impregnated with it as any other spot north of the "line," and one's settlement here from the middle '50s to the middle '60s, with the' hope of escaping trouble, was filled with dire forebodings. Yet there was a considerable immigration here, and it was in the middle of this decade that our subject entered the state.

George W. Ulsh was born in Marion county, Ohio, February 3, 1833. His father, Jacob Ulsh, born in Pennsylvania, was a farmer who married and became the head of a family. Of fifteen children, eight of whom reared families, George is the sole survivor. At sixteen years of age the latter quit the farm and began his apprenticeship at the carpenter and joiner's trade. He made that his business for more than ten years, and came to Kansas partly as an excuse to get away from it. He spent the first year in Kansas on the Gephart farm in Doniphan county, and in 1861 purchased a farm in sections 23, 2 and 18. He resided there six years and, selling out, bought a quarter on "Bunn's Branch," upon which he has passed the remaining active years of his life. He has been one of the successful tillers of the soil, for more than a generation following threshing as well as farming, and is regarded as one of the chief promoters of modern development. But his life work is finished. It only remains for him to pass his remaining years in the enjoyment of a well and profitably spent life. His legitimate and rightful successors have each assumed the role of "house-holders," and are carrying on the work where their father laid the foundation wisely and well.

On August 17, 1854, Mr. Ulsh married Mary J. Harper, whose father was Thomas Harper and whose mother was Mary J. Mouser. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Ulsh are John C.; Thomas, deceased, married Rachel Moose; Silas M.; Alta, wife of Lincoln Cole; Aura, wife of Edward Shanks, and Fred W. Ulsh.

Mr. Ulsh became a Republican early in the history of that party, and has maintained his fealty to his party ever since. He has been designated by the voters of his road district as overseer times without number, and the manner in which he has done his duty and the efficiency of his work is best testified to by the condition of the public highways under his jurisdiction.