A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 65

Author: Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: New York Chicago: The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 1084

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In 1892 John Guldner was called to mourn the loss of a devoted wife, his sons a faithful mother. for the death of Mrs. Guldner occurred when she was sixty-three

years of age. In the family were eight sens, seven of whom reached years ci ma- turity, namely : George, Nicholas. Philip, Ben, William, Gustave and Edward. All are living in the vicinity of the father with the exception of Philip, now a well tel and prominent lumberman of Davenport. Iowa. John Guldner makes his by me in Eureka township, Rice county, where he is now living at the age of seventy-six years -- hale and hearty. He is a man of large stature, six feet in height and weighing over two hundred pounds. He is a man of soldierly bearing and fine appearance-and his physical gifts are an index to the sturdy. upright character of the man. Harmost labor and honorable purpose, these have been the salient features of his life, and while bringing to him splendid financial success his business interests have al- been of value to the community, contributing to the upbuilding and commercial prosper- ity of this part of the state. He has co- operated in many measures for the general good and is a citizen of worth, known and honored in the community in which he has made his home for more than twenty-two vears.

GEORGE GULDNER.

George Guldner resides on section 9. Eureka township, Rice county, and is one of the successful and prominent men in this part of the state. He is the eldest son of John Guldner. his birth occurring in Erie, Pennsylvania, October 31. 1851. There the first eight years of his life were passed, after which he accompanied his parents to the west and aren became imbued with the western spirit of enterprise and progress. The family located in Daven- p rt. I·wa. where he attended the public schade and later entered up " his business career as an employe in the extensive saw- mill in which his father was serving as foreman. Subsequently he was in the lum- ber mill with him, and green ¿ site a coucher as his capability and years won him advancement.

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The year 1879 witnessed the arrival of . last quarter of a century, and he has con- George Guldner in Rice county. Here he tributed in full measure to its upbuilding settled on raw land obtained from the gov- and advancement. ernment, built a house of three rooms and then began the development of what has since become one of the finest farms in his township. He has since replaced the NICHOLAS GULDNER. primitive home with an attractive resi- dence, which was erected at a cost of eleven hundred dollars. It stands upon an natural building site and is tastefully and comfort- ably furnished. His large barn is thirty- six by fifty feet in dimensions, and his granary twenty-four by thirty-six feet. Other substantial buildings add to the value of the place, and a grove and an orchard of five acres are among its leading features. Its boundaries have also been extended un- til the place now comprises five hundred and sixty acres of valuable land.

On the 15th of May, 1877, in Daven- port, Iowa. George Guldner was married to Miss Mary Demmerle, who was born, reared and educated in Erie, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Jacob and Mary Ann ( Shidy ) Demmerle, who were natives of Germany. Her father died when she was a small girl, leaving to the mother's care five children, of whom Mrs. Guldner was the eldest, the others being William, Katie, Jacob and Barbara, but the last named died at the age of seventeen years. The mother afterward married a Mr. Shall, and is now living in Erie, Pennsylvania. By her sec- ond marriage she had one daughter, Mrs. Ada MI. Seabrook. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Guldner have been born three children: Ada May: Harry Jacob, who was educated in Stirling College; and Roy Clarence. They also lost one child in infancy, named Anna May.

In his political views Mr. Guldner is a stalwart Republican, and for a number of years he has served on the school board. Socially he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Neigh- bors, and his wife is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In man- ner he is frank and genial, is broad-minded and has the welfare of the community deep- ly at heart. He is proud of his adopted1 state and what it has accomplished in the

There is no family more prominent or honored in central Kansas than the one to which our subject belongs. It is seldom that six brothers remain in one locality through so long a period as have the Guld- ner brothers, who for almost twenty-five years have been representatives of the farm- ing and milling interests in this part of the state. He whose name initiates this para- graph is the second son of John Guldner, and was born in 1853, in Erie, Pennsyl- vania, whence his parents removed to Dav- enport, Iowa, when he was six years of age. The schools of that city afforded him his educational privileges, and under his father's supervision he began earning his own livelihood in a sawmill of which his father was foreman, sawing lumber, shin- gles and lath. He soon realized that close application, energy and straightforward dealing were the chief elements in success, and they have formed the basis of his busi- ness career since.

Mr. Guldner was married in 1876, at the age of twenty-three years, to Mary Shupp, who was born in Illinois, but who spent her girlhood days in Iowa and was there educated. She has been an able as- sistant to her husband throughout the period of their married life, and their home has been blessed with four daughters : Rozalia is the wife of Edward Bell, and their home is upon one of her father's farms: Elizabeth is the wife of Rev. O. L. Lewis, a Methodist clergyman, and they also live upon one of Mr. Guldner's farms : and Luella and Ida, both remain at the parental home. They also lost one son, John, who died at the age of sixteen months.

It was in 1878 that Mr. Guldner and his little family came to Rice county and lo- cated upon one hundred and sixty acres of land which he had previously pur-

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

chased. He began farming on a small scale and also assisted in the operation of the grist mill which the father erected and which eventually represented one of the leading and important industries of con- tral Kansas. As the years passed and labor Trought to him success, Nicholas Guldner added to his landed possessions, making indicions investments in property until he now owns seven hundred and twenty acres of valuable farming land, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation and well improved. He has two hundred acres planted in wheat in addition to the large tracts which he rents. An orchard of five acres has been set out by him and is now in good bearing condition. A grove also added to the beauty of the place, and a commodious residence, erected at a cost of fourteen hundred dollars, is the hos- pitable home of the family.

His estimable wife, who has been an efficient assistant to him in his work, care- fully and prudently managing the house- hold affairs while he has superintended his farming interests, is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In his political views Mr. Guldner is a Democrat, but while he votes with the party, thus ex- pressing his belief in its principles, he has had neither time nor inclination to seek public office. He is a member of Camp No. 1712. Modern Woodmen of America, of which he is one of the board of managers at the present time. He is a man of broad and progressive views and one in whom every movement intended for the general goed finds a warm and helpful friend. while his cordial spirit and friendly dis- position have gained him friends, for, as Emerson says, "The way to win a friend is to be one.'

BENJAMIN GULDNER.

The enterprising spirit of the west finds exemplification in Ben Guldner, who has always lived on this side of the Mississippi and is of that class of wide-awake. ener- getic men who readily master expedients and make opportunities where none exist. ---

men who have built up the great common- wealthy of the west and marked out the path. of advancing civilization.

Mr. Guldner was born in Davenport, Iowa, March 22, 1859, and when a young man of eighteen years came to Rice county with his father. John Guldner, who is still one of the honored pioneer settlers and en- terprising business men of this portion of the state. At the customary age he had entered the First-ward school of Daven port, therein mastering the common branches . i learning which prepare one for the practical duties of life. On putting aside his text-be ks be assisted his father in the sawmill, and after coming to Rice county he aided his father in farming and in the operation of the grist mill.

On the 6th of May, 1880, Benjamin Guldner was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta Evans, an intelligent and estima- ble lady, who was born, reared and edu- cated in Clark county, Illinois, a daughter of William and Margaret Evans. Her fa- ther is now deceased but the mother is liv- ing with her daughter, Mrs. Guldner. She represents one of the old pioneer families of North Carolina, whence her people re-

moved to Clark county, Illinois. Three children have come to bless the home of our subject and his wife,-Lillie O., Mag- gie E. and Roscoe L.,-and the family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death. the children being still under the parental roof.

One of the most desirable farm re-i- dences in Eureka township is that occupied by Benjamin Guldner and his family. It is situated on section 5 and was erected at a cost of two thousand dollars. Of mel- ern style of architecture, well arranged and pleasantly furnished, its charm is height- ened by the spirit of good cheer and hos- pitality which pervades it. Underneath the house is a substantial cellar walled with rock. The barn. one of the largest in the county, is forty by fifty feet. There isa a grave of four or five acres, large fields of grain and the latest improved machinery for facilitating the farm work. The pres- ent fine residence is in great contrast t. : he first home of Mr. and Mrs. Guldner, which

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

was a little sod house, built by themselves. Later they had a small frame dwelling, which is now used as a general store-room.

Mr. Guldner is a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, belong- ing to Frederick Lodge, No. 75, of which he is now prelate. He has filled all the offices in the local organization and has been representative to the grand lodge. He is a most attractive and zealous worker in behalf of the order, and is also a valued rep- resentative of Camp No. 1712, Modern Woodmen of America, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. They have many friends in the community where for many years they have made their home, being widely and favorably known.

WILLIAM GULDNER.

In giving a history of the Guldner fam- ily of central Kansas the life record of William Guldner is the next that claims our attention. He is the fifth son of the family and came to Rice county twenty-two years ago, when his father established his home in this section of the Sunflower state and with his sons began the work which has re- sulted not only in great good to the individ- tal members but has been of benefit to the entire community.

William Guldner was born March I. 1861, and spent his early youth in his na- tive city-Davenport, Iowa,-where he en- tered the public schools at the usual age. Reading, experience and observation in later life have also largely added to his knowledge and made him a well informed man. He was eighteen years of age when he became a resident of Green Garden township, Ellsworth county, where his fa- ther first located and there improved a farmi and built and operated a grist mill. In both departments of the work William as- sisted him, his youth, as his later years, being a period of industry. He remained at home until twenty-four years of age and then began to improve a tract of raw land, from which he developed an excellent farm.

As usual with young men who start out upon an independent business career, he

sought some one with whom to share his lot and wooed and won Miss Josephine Murphy, the wedding taking place when he was twenty-six years of age. She has made him a good wife, and their companionshin and co-operation has resulted in making a pleasant home. The lady was born in Perry county, Indiana, a daughter of Abram Murphy, who is also a native pf and now resides in Stafford county, Kansas. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Mary Guffeney, was born in Belgium, and died in Gentry county, Missouri, at the age of sixty-two years. They were the parents of eight children: Andrew, Henry, Belle, Decatur, Angeline, Josephine, Augustus and Joseph. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Guldner is brightened by the presence of one son. Ira W., who was born November 24, 1890.

Mr. Guldner owns a fine farm of four hundred acres and the residence was erected there at a cost of eleven hundred dollars. There is also a substantial barr, granary, sheds, a windmill, a grove and a bearing orchard, and in addition to these are broad fields of grain, giving promise of abundant harvests. He keeps stock of good grades and in every particular has a model farm, which in its neat and thrifty appear- ance indicates his careful supervision. He is successful in his business and yearly adds to his income, so that he is now numbered among the well-to-do agriculturists of Eureka township, Rice county. He votes with the Democracy or else casts an inde- pendent ballot, for he does not consider himself bound by party ties. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen Camp of Frederick and both he and his wife hold membership in the Christian church of Frederick. He strongly favors education, religion and every movement that tends to uplift man- kind and all human progress along material. intellectual or moral lines.

GUSTAVE GULDNER.

Gustave Guldner, who resides on sec- tion 17. Eureka township, Rice county, was born during the progress of the great Civil

Mer Um Guldner & family

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war, his birth occurring in Davenport. Iowa, on the 4th of November, 1862. Hle is the sixth son of John Guldner and needs no special introduction to the readers of this volume. for no family in the county is more widely known than that to which he belongs. He was a student in the public schools of his native city and through read- ing and discussion has kept in touch with the advanced thought of the day and with the progress of the world, being a repre- sontative of the intelligent class of farmers who form the strength of the nation. He was seventeen years of age when the fam- ily came to central Kansas, his home being in Green Garden township, Ellsworth coun- ty, where his parents located on a farm. All was new and wild, and the most far- sighted could not have dreamed of the rapid development which would make the coun- try Hussom as the rose. Here amid the surroundings of frontier life he spent the remainder of his minority and was trained to habits of industry, economy and honesty. Thus he came to realize the value of earnest and honorable labor, and throughout his life these characteristics have colored his business career. He worked in the fields upon his father's farm and also assisted in the operation of the gristmill until he was twenty-one years of age, when he began farming upon his own account, taking pos- session of a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of raw land, upon which hardly a fur- row had been turned or an improvement made. Here he has erected a good resi- dence and barn, planted an orchard and made all the modern improvements. His fertile fields now yield good harvests and he annually harvests large wheat crops. He also raises cattle and horses of good grades, and his stock when placed upon the market commands good prices.

Mr. Guldner has been twice married. He first wedded Lillie May Van Nest, but she died six months later of lung trouble. On Christmas day of the year 1900 he was again married, his second union being with Miss Josie Hosley, a daughter of Richard Hosley, of Bayard, Allen county, Kansas. She was reared and educated in the Sunflow- er state, and in her new home she has male

many warm friends. Mr. Guldner is

widely known, having resided here for more than two decades. His life has at all times been consistent with manly principles aud le nerable dealing and as an industrious farmer he is a credit to the agricultural community of central Kansas.

EDWARD GULDNER.

One of the leading industries of Rice county is the Frederick Roller Mills, of which Edward Guldner is the propriet. r. Every honorable business interest is not only of value to its owner but to the entire community in which it is located, as it pro .. metes commercial activity, which is the basis of all advancement in this utilitarian age. Edward Guldner is the seventh and youngest son in the family of John Guld- ner, and six of the brothers are well known and reliable business men of central Kan- sas, where the father also has instituted improvements that have led to the substan- tial development of the community.

Edward Guldner was born October 31. 1865. in Davenport, lowa, and was there- fore a youth of fourteen years when he came with his parents to Kansas. He had theretofore pursued his education in the schools of his native city, and to the lessons learned therein he added those gained in the school of experience. The family home in Green Garden township, Elisworth o un- ty, was situated in the midst of a wild region, awaiting the awakening touch of civilization to bring it into productivene ... His business training was received in his father's gristmill and therein be masterel every department of the work, becoming thoroughly familiar with the best processe- of converting the grain into breadstuff .. In 1901 the Frederick Roller Mills were erected, at a cost of ten thousand dollars The plant has a capacity of one hundred barrels per day and flour of superior grade is manufactured. The mill is thirty-six by forty-eight feet in dimensions and four stories in height. The basement is nine feet in height and the walls are of 951 rock. The mill is equipped with ten sets of roller burrs and the most modern and im-

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proved milling machinery of all descrip- tions. There are two swinging sifters of a new model, and everything about the place is of such a character as to facilitate the work and produce the highest grade of flour. The engine room is a rock building, thirty-two by thirty-six feet, one story in height, built as an addition to the mill, and the power is furnished by a sixty-five horse power Corliss engine. Frederick is fortu- nate in having this industry added to its business interests.

On the IIth of January, 1891, Mr. Guldner was married in Vinton, Benton county, Iowa, to Augusta Reiss, who has been a most faithful companion and help- mate to him. A native of Iowa, she was there reared and married. Her father, John Reiss, died in Kansas in 1894, and the mother is still living on a farm in this state. Two children have been born unto our sub- ject and his wife,-Nellie and Edward. In addition to his milling property Edward Guldner owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres. In politics he is a Repub- lican, and fraternally he is connected with the Masonic lodge of Frederick, in which he has filled all the offices, and with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Wood- men of America. Like his brothers, he is a progressive business man, quick to note and improve an opportunity, reliable and trust- worthy, energetic and determined. He also has the family characteristic of good citi- zenship, for the Guldner brothers, like their father, have always supported those meas- tires calculated to prove of public benefit ; they have been in favor of good roads, good schools and good improvements on their property, and in many ways they have contributed to the general progress. The name is one over which there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil, and one which stands in honorable connection with the pioneer history and the latter-day development of central Kansas.

ADAM COLLINGE.

Adam Collinge, who owns and operates a fine farm on section 18, Galt township. Rice county, claims Illinois as the state of

his nativity, his birth having occurred in Peoria county, near Kickapoo, on July 6, 1865. His father, Job Collinge, was a well known citizen of Rice county for many years. He was born at Manchester, Eng- land, sixty-two years ago, and was there reared to manhood and served a three-years' apprenticeship at the butcher's trade. At the age of sixteen years he bade adieu to the home and friends of his native land and sailed for the United States. After his ar- rival in this country he first located in Pe- oria county, Illinois, where he followed farming, and was there married to Jane Greanalgh, who was also born near Man- chester, England. She was six years of age when she came to the new world, and was reared and educated in Illinois. Her fa- ther, John Greanalgh, was also a native of England. At the outbreak of the Civil war Job Collinge proved his loyalty to his adop- ted country by donning the blue in defense of the Union, becoming a member of the Forty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he served for four years. He was a brave and loyal soldier and nobly did his duty in defending the stars and stipes. In 1879 he came to Rice county, Kansas, lo- cating on Cow creek, in Atlanta township. In 1881 he located on a homestead of eighty acres, but as time passed he added to his property until he owned a large and well improved farm. Since coming to the United States Mr. Collinge has five times visited his native land, and is there at the present time. 1901. His wife died January 20. 1894. at the age of fifty years. They were the par- ents of six children-Adam, the subject of this review: Jesse, a resident of Living- ston county, Illinois: John. of Oklahoma ; Joseph, who resides in Minnesota : James. of Geneseo; and Frank, also of Livingston county, Illinois.

Adam Collinge spent the first fourteen years of his life in Peoria county, Illinois, and then came to Rice county, Kansas, where he continued his education in the common schools of the neighborhood. He subsequently removed to Leadville, Colora- dlo, where he spent eight years. In 1892 he returned to Rice county and in December of

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

that year he was united in marriage to Minnie Laura Pickerill, who was born in Jackson county. Missouri, but was reared and educated in Rice county. She is a daughter . f T. J. and Jav. ( South Picker- ill. The father died in Victoria township, this county, in 1901, but the mother still resides en the eld homestead. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Callinge has Been blessed with five children, but one son died in in- fancy. The four living are: Jane, Floyd Elmer, Ethel Christine and Claud Percy.

Mr. Collinge now owns a valuable farm of two hundred acres. Icated on section 18. Gal: tership, where he is extensively en- gagel in general farming. His farm is one of the finest in central Kansas. The suc- cess which has attended his efforts is the cut- come . i persistent effort, unfaltering pur- pase and home rable methods, qualities which in every land and in every time will win Beth he and his wife hall mentorship in the Church of Christ, and he gives a loyal support to the principles of the Republican party.

CHARLES GUIER.

For about twenty-three years the subject of this review has had his abiding place in Rice county, Kansas, and has occupied a prominent position among the leading citi- zens . f the community. Thus he is too well ka was need introduction here, and with- · 11t further preface we pass on t a sketch of his life, which, including as it does, a war record and many years on the fron- tier. is loth interesting and instructive.

Mr. Guier was born in Jo Daviess coun- tv. Illinois, in I&II. His father, Gideon Guier, was born in Philadelphia. Pennsyl- vania. He followed farming as : life occu- mation. The mother of our subiect was in her maidenhead Jane Kirkpatrick, and was a native of Ohio. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Guier removed to the lead mines in Jo Daviess county, Illino's, where he fol- lowed mining and farming. A short time afterward. however, they went to Grant

county, Wisconsin, in 1841, where tiny re- maine und ther death. The weather pared away at the age of thirty yours Going on the fourteenth birthday of our subject. The father reached the ripe old age of ninety years, and remained true to the mean ry el his loved wife during the remainder of his lifetime. They were the parents of six chil- dren: Mary Jane Ramsey, now deceased; Charles: El, who was a obter in the war of the Rebellion, and now resides near Min- neapolis, Minnesota; Isabell Aguiar. . i Plattsville. Wisconsin : Anna Huntington. also a resident + f Plattsville; and Josephine Spencer, a widow residing in that city. The father of this family was a chi ffer .i Republican principles.

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 65

Author: Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago Publication date: 1902 Publisher: New York Chicago: The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 1084

Author: Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: New York Chicago: The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 1084