USA > Kansas > Barton County > Biographical History of Barton County, Kansas > Part 18
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Herman Tammen was born September 2, 1875, in Hanover Province, Germany, and in
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OF BARTON COUNTY, KANSAS
1892, when 16 years of age, came to America and his education was acquired in the mother country, with a few terms in our public
schools. His parents died when he was a
Pawnee county, and a half section in Ford.
Herman Tammen and Miss Augusta Louisa Mary Neese were married on October 28, 1898, at the brides home in Rush County. They have
Farm Residence of Herman Tammen
small boy. He soon purchased two hundred and forty acres of land, and later a tract of eighty acres more and these make up the res- ident farm. Besides this he owns a section in
been blessed with five lovely children: Min- nie Christina Mary, 9; Harry Conrad, 8; Hilda Frances, 6; Rosa Louisa, 4, and Herman Au- gust, 2.
"GREENWOOD FARM"
T HE "Greenwood Farm," the country home of Chris and Mary Johnson, four and one-half miles west of Great Bend, is one of the best improved farms along the road on which the residence fronts. The house is one and one-half story frame containing ten rooms; and the barn is 32x42, and has mow and stable room for all animals bred and in service on the farm. Then there are other necessary outbuildings, windmills, an artifi- cial lake, an orchard, and a fine grove of forest trees. This farm was not purchased until 1894, and has not been in cultivation as long as some others, but the improvements are all of a substantial character, and the culti- vation of the fields stamps Mr. Johnson as a painstaking farmer and one sure to succeed in
his chosen calling. The fencing is in a good condition and everything about the premises is neat and tidy.
Chris Johnson was born on October 22nd, 1859, in Denmark, and camc to America in 1878, when nineteen years of age. He first landed in New York and from there went into Illinois, where he secured work making tile to drain the low lands of several counties. His headquarters were in Champaigne County until March 12th, 1884, when he came to Bar- ton County, Kansas. At first he rented the McBride farm, three miles west of Great Bend, and put in a crop and then on February 13th, 1885, married Miss Mary Hanson, of Jackson, Kansas. They have been blessed with five children: Herman O., 23; Gilbert M., 21; Vic-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
115
tor D., 18; Alexander H., 11, and Mary Chris- tina, 9.
The farm owned by Mr. Johnson covers one hundred and sixty acres and cost $1,500 in 1894, but he rents an adjoining quarter and
cultivates three hundred and twenty acres. This makes a nice farm, and as he and his family are economical and good workers it is expected that they will be among the large future land owners of Barton County.
Farm Home of Chris Johnson
HENRY WITTE
H ENRY WITTE was born December 4th, 1842, in the Province of Hanover, Ger- many, and is in his sixty-ninth year. He emigrated to America in the spring of
Henry Witte at the Age of Twenty-five 1867, when twenty-four years of age; and
located first in LaCrosse County, Wisconsin, where he was told of the great possibilities of the country being reclaimed from the desert in Kansas. He went, however, to Minneap- olis, Minnesota, and in three or four years returned to Wisconsin where he remained until the spring of 1880, when he came to Barton County, Kansas. He was at first a renter of land in the neighborhood of his present home, two and one-half miles south of Heizer, but finally purchased a half section of land from the Santa Fe railway company, paying five or six dollars per acre, in payments which run from three to eleven years. He was married on February 22, 1884, to Miss Sophia D. Meyer of LaCrosse County, Wisconsin, and of this union was born eight children. A few years since he separated from his wife and family, deeding to them the south eighty, and retain- ing the north half. He has since built a house, barn and other buildings on his portion and has it in a fine state of cultivation.
During his residence in Barton County he has passed through several disastrous years, but has been able to improve both the north and south halves of his original quarter in a substantial manner. Taking the circum- stances into account Mr. Witte's success has been phenomenal, and could only have been possible on land as productive as that which lie owns.
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OF BARTON COUNTY, KANSAS
FRANCIS SPANIOL
I T.T has always been a saying, "That the man who drinks from a Kansas stream will later return," and this trite proverb has proven true in the instance of Frank Spaniol, who, in 1895, was a resident of Reno County for two seasons, but, on account of crop failures, returned to his former home in Illinois thoroughly disgusted with Kansas, and Kansas farming. He had, however, "drank of the stream,' and after a nine years struggle with the Kansas microbe he returned to this state and has since made his home five miles
tract; but at the instance of his father he came to Reno County, Kansas in 1895 and at- tempted to make a home in this state. After two unsuccessful crop seasons he decided he had enough of this poverty stricken state and returned to his old home and farm. The next year after he left this state crop conditions changed for the better and the Kansas gran- · aries would hardly hold the harvests. Then he saw his mistake and on April 1, 1906, came to Barton County and purchased the hundred and sixty acres on which he lives. This is in a high state of cultivation and is improved
Farm Residence of Francis Spaniol
west of Great Bend. As he is now well satis- fied with conditions in his adopted state we give his history.
Francis (Frank) Spaniol was born August 27, 1870, on a farm in Livingston County, Illi- nois, and was educated in the public schools of that state. He grew to manhood there and be- came a successful farmer under the instruc- tion of his father, and at his death inherited eighty acres of choiee land near Flanagan, Illinois. This he still owns; has it in a high state of cultivation and rented to a tenant. In 1892 he was married and began farming this
with a six room frame cottage, a good barn, granary and other out buildings. He rents an adjoining quarter and farms 320 acres. There is a young orchard and a nice grove of forest trees surrounding the home that attracts and screens the home from the roadway.
Francis Spaniol and Miss Lena Gerdson, of Livingston County, Illinois, were united in marrige on April 19, 1892, and this union has been blessed with two children: Katherine Mary, 18, Alfred Adam, 14. They are both at home and gladden "Fruit Farm," the name recently given their new Kansas home.
FREDERICK HENRY WOLF
'G )LDEN CEREAL FARM," the home of Frederick Henry and Lizzie Wagner Wolf, is located five and one-half miles west from Great Bend, and is so named be- cause the soil has been proven to be so well adapted to growing the "golden cereal" that
lias made the county so famous as a whcat grower. It contains four hundred acres of as fertile soil as there is in Buffalo township, or in fact in the whole of Kansas. It is improved with a story and a half framc residenee with six large airy rooms ; a large 40x80 barn, gran-
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ary and other outbuildings, and these are so located that they show to the best advantage. The crops are corn, Kaffir corn, wheat, alfalfa and native grasses, and is adapted to grow- ing these and other crops and the breeding of horses, mules, cattle, hogs and poultry. Stock and poultry are bred to a limited extent, but
an industrious husbandman, and the granaries that his labor has been rewarded.
Frederick H. Wolf was born on September 25th, 1869, in Madison County, Illinois, and was married to Miss Lizzie Wagner of Nor- borne, Carrolton, County, Mo., on September 24th, 1893. They have one interesting child
Farm Home of Frederick Henry Wolf
wheat-the staple crop of this section-is king of this farm and covers the major portion of the fields. Corn and wheat are the crops most grown in Illinois, where Mr. Wolf grew to manhood, and it was natural that he should attempt them here where they grow best of all crops, and with less labor than most. The fields, however, show the constant effort of
of ten, Tillie Annie Mary, who gladdens their hearts and brings sunshine to the home. They came to Barton County in the fall of 1901, bought the four hundred acres on which they reside, and are classed among the most sub- stantial and most highly respected citizens of the county.
THOMAS BUTLER JOHNSON
T HE hundred and sixty acres, eight miles west of Great Bend, which is the farm of Thomas Butler Johnson, has been christened "Pleasant View Farm," because it lies in a spot that affords a fine view of the surrounding country. It was first the home of his parents, John W. and Rosanna Johnson, who in 1874 homesteaded eighty acres of this tract, and bought an additional eighty. They came to Barton County, Kansas, in 1874 from Madison County, Iowa, when Thomas B. was but three years of age; and the father, John W. Johnson, was born in Indiana March 13, 1835, and died February 15th, 1902; and the mother, Rosanna Johnson, was born in Penn- sylvania in 1836 and died November 4th, 1906.
Both are buried in the Everett cemetery, eight miles west of Great Bend. They were survived by two children, viz: Franklin Henry and Thomas Butler Johnson. The interests of these heirs were purchased by Thomas B. Johnson, who is now the sole owner, and it appears to be a valuable property. It is well improved and in a high state of cultivation. The residence is a story and a half frame, with six airy rooms. The barn is large and will accommodate much hay and many farm ani- mals; and there is a combined granary and buggy shed; other out buildings, windmills, etc.
Thomas Butler Johnson was born on January 19th, 1872, and was married to Miss Myrtle
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OF BARTON COUNTY, KANSAS
Ivo Showers, of Grundy County, Mo., on No- vember 22nd, 1899. They have been the parents of four children, two of whom are living: Lil- lie Belle 9, and Mabel Fern 7.
Mr. Johnson owns twenty lots in College Grove Addition to Great Bend and has other interests in the county.
Farm Home of Thomas Butler Johnson
WILLIAM MULL
T r HE life story of William Mull who owns a four hundred and eighty acre farm ten miles southwest of Great Bend, deserves a prominent place in the History of Barton County, because of the success he has made of life. He was born July 4, 1872, in Staunton, Illinois, his father's death occurring shortly after. His mother, Mrs. Louisa Mull, married Frederick Viehl and he came with them to Barton County, Kansas, arriving on September 10, 1878. His step-father homesteaded eighty acres, but died on August 17, 1895, the mother also died in October, 1900. Their real and personal property was heavily mortgaged and was sold to pay their debts, and at twenty- three William Mull faced the world without credit or money. He had, however, in the fall of 1892, begun farming on rented land with a part of his step-father's mortgaged horses and implements, and to hold them for use paid in- terest as high as 18 per cent to 24 per cent. The period between 1893 and 1896 were disas- trous and all was lost or paid out on debts; but in 1897 a crop was made and he purchased his first hundred and sixty acres, which is a part of his present farm. Later he bought three hundred and twenty acres adjoining and farms four hundred and eighty acres, the equal of any in the county. He has this improved
with a two story frame residence containing eleven rooms; a very attractive barn 32x38, with large hay loft and stalls for sixteen horses; an elevator with capacity of 10,000 bushels, and sundry other outbuildings. He cultivates wheat and corn exclusively, and breeds only a limited number of horses, cat- tle and hogs for his own needs; but he makes every acre a productive one and the hard times of the '90's seems far back in the dis- tance. It took, however, great will power and fortitude to pass that period, and he learned lessons then that will last for all time.
William Mull and Miss Anna Puttner, of Ol- mitz, Kansas, were married on November 10, 1895, and they have been blessed by five chil- dren: John Frederick, 15; Mary Louisa, 13; William Joseph, 9; Elmer, 5, and Lillie Jose- phine, 2.
William Mull is not old and the boys call him "Bill," and for this reason he loves "the whole Bill family." Sometimes he becomes reminiscent and tells things happening in the past. When we met him Bill Townsley was in his mind, and for fear that Bill might fail to mention the circumstance in his own biog- raphy, wants it known that Will Townsley worked for him in the harvest of 1897; and that the pay was 75 cents per day. He labored
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119
faithfully for two days, but on the third quit at noon. Going to town he found his parents had left for Denver, and followed, but on ar- riving there he failed to make connection with the family purse and became stranded in a strange city. How he got home is the best treasured joke of Bill Mull's life, for a month
after harvest Bill Townsley and a centenarian burro drew up in a ramshackle cart at the gate; collected $1.871/2 and departed for town. When "Bill" denies and "Bill" affirms, it is hard for a historian to record it as a positive fact. Ask "Bill."
CHRISTIAN S. SCHULTZ
T HE life story of Christian S. Schultz, of "Upland Farm," six miles north of Pawnee Rock, stamps him as more en- terprising and skilfull than the average immigrant from Poland, West Russia, who came with him in 1875, and settled the Men- onite colony one mile east of Dundee. He was
In 1874 he came to America and worked for one year in a wagon factory in Latonia, Ohio, and in 1875 came to Barton County with neigh- bors from the section of his birth place and became a member of the settlement near Dun- dee. At that date he was thirty-three years of age and by strict economy had saved from
Farm Home of Christian S. Schultz
born on March 11, 1842, on a farm in Russia- Poland, attended school for about one month and at the age of fifteen left his home for South Russia. He worked for two years on a farm to accumulate enough to clothe him- self for the next three years, and then appren- ticed himself to a manufacturer and learned to be a blacksmith and wheelwright. This took three years and he worked for his board; but in 1862 he began drawing pay, and this was increased from time to time during the next twelve years with the factory, until he became one of their very best workmen and the best paid. During this time he built a carriage for the fiirm which took first prize in competition with the builders of other nations at the Worlds Fair held in St. Petersburg in 1871.
his earnings about $3,000, and with this he bought a quarter section for the use of the colony; built the best house in the settlement, and assisted others less fortunate to make their start in this new world. When this colony disbanded he purchased the hundred and sixty acres called "Upland Farm," and this he has improved with a large two story frame, with nine large rooms, a large barn and other outbuildings, and it is one of the best stocked and best cultivated tracts of the neighbor- hood. He also owns another quarter in Paw- nee Rock township; a quarter in Liberty town- ship and another near Greensburg, Kansas, a total of six hundred and forty acres.
One year after his arrival in this country Christian S. Schultz and Miss Lena Rudiger,
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OF BARTON COUNTY, KANSAS
of Russia-Poland, were married in Barton County, Kansas, and to them fourteen chil- dren were born, twelve of whom survive. They are: Samuel, C., Henry and Abram Schultz and Mrs. Lizzie Dirks, all of Pawnee Rock township; Mrs. Eva Base and Mary Richert, near Greensburg; Mrs. Minnie Boese, Dundee; Mrs. Susan Smith, Pawnee County ; Miss Tena Schultz, a nurse in a hospital at
Newton, and Peter, Lena and Martha Schultz, who reside at home.
Mrs. Lena Rudiger Schultz died on March 29, 1904, and lies buried in the Dundee cem- etery, mourned by her husband and children and a large circle of neighbors and friends by whom she was loved and respected after many years of association in this new land.
JOHN C. BAUER
H UME-MAKING has been the sentiment i .. at has peopled the plains of Kansas .ud seuled its towns and cities, and to this ne sentimen. is due the present pros- perous condition of a great state. It has been fostered by a generous government and state; assisted by the great railva a.d the p. ess, and today is the ruling passiv .. .. the breast of every true house-holder. It med the ambi- tion of the early pioneer and sustained his frail arm and weak body until he performed herculean feats in taming an unwilling soil until it gave up its treasures in blossoms and grain. The first has made the land worth liv- ing in and the last sustained life and provided a heritage for coming generations. It was this sentiment that induced Mr. and Mrs. John C. Bauer, three and one-half miles northeast of Pawnee Rock, to come to Barton County, Kansas, endure the privations of the pioneer days and hold steadfastly to this one senti- ment when there appeared no hope of accom- plishing their cherished dream. But pluck and energy prevailed and today they own one of the neatest homes in the entire county, and a half section of its best land.
John C. Bauer was born on November 16, 1837, in the Province of Bavaria, Germany, and in 1847 came to America with his parents, who remained in New York City for nine months and then permanently settled at Cin- cinnati, Ohio. He was educated in the public schools of that city, and learned the trade of boilermaker, and followed that trade in some of the largest works of that city until January, 1878, when he came to Barton County. He at first bought eighty acres of railroad land and entered a timber claim of eighty acres; and then in 1885 bought an additional quarter section. On this he has built a neat cottage with six rooms; a good barn, granary and other outbuildings; planted trees and put the whole in the highest possible state of cultiva- tion.
John C. Bauer was married on October 22, 1860, to Miss Margaret Bauer of Cincinnati, O., and they have four living children: John G. Bauer, Radium, Kansas; Mrs. Anna Shafer, Sterling, Kansas; Mrs. Lena Hartman, Morrel, Ohio and Robert L. Bauer of Pawnee Rock township.
JOHN LILE
A MONG the pioneer citizens of Barton County, John Lile, who lives two and one-half miles west of Dundee, may be classed, because it was on May 2, 1872, that he first settled in the county on a homestead en- tered in the. neighborhood of his present home. At that period he says he was not favorably impressed with the locality as a farming locality; but as he was a young man then, and game was plentiful on the plains he considered it wise to set up a home. Buffalo, antelope and other wild game was in abund- ant and he at first made good wages by fol- lowing the chase, and he killed and skinned buffalo for a number of years and sold the meat and hides. In this business he became acquainted with most of the old timers of the early days, but hunted most with Newt Smith, of Pawnee Rock, Judge Morton, (deceased,) and George Lile, a brother who died some
years ago. They had great sport and often went as far west as Dodge City on their trips. By that means he was permitted to see that frontier town when it was passing through its toughest period, and if he would he could recount some thrilling encounters between some of the bad men of that day. When the buffalo got scarce he gave his time to farming with about the same result as others of his section; but after a number of bad crop years sold his homestead for a small price and has rented the land since farmed. At present he is a tenant of his daughter, Mrs. Sarah Gilbert, and at seventy-nine years of age is able to do most of the work. His wife is also well preserved and has been a true helpmeet dur- ing a life of exposure on the plains.
John Lile was born December 11, 1832, in Adams County, Illinois, and grew to manhood on a farm. He married Miss Evaline Duff, of
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Adams County, Illinois on October 10, 1861, and they have been the parents of eight chil- dren. Six are still living, as follows: Albert Lile, Pawnee Rock; Mrs. Ida Smith, Pawnee Rock; Wm. Henry Lile, near Pawnee Rock; Mrs. Sarah Gilbert, Pawnee Rock; Harry N. Lile, near Pawnee Rock and Mrs. Ada Gano, of Hutchinson, Kansas.
Mr. Lile is at this time a great believer in the wonderful productiveness of the soil of
Barton County, but when he first came here he considered it of little agricultural value. Grass, trees or vegetation could hardly be coaxed to grow, and the soil was so hard that the rain would not penetrate the earth. His testimony is that cultivation made the seasons and the crops that afterward came, and that a great debt is due those who come first and persisted until the present conditions pre- vailed.
THE KEENAN ESTATE
T HE family of Thomas and Mary Malia Keenan, who located a homestead six miles southwest of Great Bend, are probably as well and favorably known as any in Barton County. They were the first to show their confidence in the soil by building the best country residence in the county-a two story frame with ten rooms-and otherwise im-
through the state. He first held the position of conductor of a construction train running between Newton, Kansas, and the Colorado line; but later, in order to be near his family, took charge of a section between Great Bend and Dundee. He served this company for five years and then retired to his farm. He died on June 11, 1900, and Mrs. Mary Malia Keenan
proving a farm of five hundred and forty acres. This was built by Luther Frost, one of the first builders to locate in Great Bend, and stands today as a monument to his skill.
Thomas Keenan, sr., was born in Ireland on February 1, 1834, and came to the United States in 1861, marrying Miss Mary Malia, of Lowell, Mass., in March, 1871. They first made their home in Massachusetts, but later moved to Utica, Mo. While in the last named state Mr. Keenan found work in the construc- tion department of a railway and became pro- ficient as a builder; and when he came to Barton County, Kansas, in the fall of 1872, he soon found employment with the Santa Fe system, which was then building westward
also died on April 30, 1910. They were the parents of ten children: John Keenan, who died July 23, 1888; James Keenan, of Grove, Arizona; Mrs. Ellen Nally, San Francisco, Calif .; Frank Keenan, Kansas City; Martin Keenan, near Heizer; Thomas B. Keenan, who died April 7, 1906; Miss Mary Keenan, Michael James Keenan, Miss Kathleen C. Keenan and William Patrick Keenan.
Since the death of the parents the estate has been divided and the home farm reduced to two hundred and forty acres. This has been named "Keenancroft,' and is owned by Miss Mary, Miss Kathleen C., and William P. Keen- an; the latter being in charge of the farm. The residence and surroundings have grown
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OF BARTON COUNTY, KANSAS
more beautiful with the years, and the grove of forest trees is very inviting. A new barn 32×36 has just taken the place of one destroyed by fire, and some granaries, machine sheds, etc., built, which adds to the conveniences of
the place. It is provided with all late day im- plements and the better grades of stock, and continues to hold its place among the best tilled farms of Barton County.
SAMUEL C. SCHULTZ
S AMUEL C. AND. LIZZIE. SCHULTZ, who have named their farm in Liberty town- ship, four miles northwest of Dundee, and ten miles southwest of Great Bend, "Fairha- ven," are among the younger generation of farmers in this county. Mr. Schultz is the
there are enough shrubs and plants within the paled yard to make the place very invit- ing. The barn, granaries, automobile garage, and various other outbuildings are all new, commodious and in fine condition, and make the farm present a very substantial and prosper-
Farm Residence of Samuel C. Schultz
eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Christian S. Schultz of Pawnee Rock township, and was born on July 12, 1876. The privations of his earlier years were such as to make him learn the value of money and the results to be ob- tained by hard work, and these two character- istics are stamped on every feature of his sur- roundings. He owns in fee simple one hun- dred and sixty acres of as fine farm land as there is in Barton County, and rents one hun- dred and forty adjoining. His farm, there- fore, covers three hundred acres, and is in the highest possible state of cultivation. His residence is a two story frame containing ten large airy rooms. It is surrounded by numer- ous forest trees and a young orchard, and
ous condition. Mr. Schultz also owns three acres near the town of Dundee and has just built thereon a good four room cottage for rent to a tenant.
On February 13, 1898, when the prospects for crops were about the same as they had been for the past five years-total failures- Samuel C. Schultz and Miss Lizzie Unruh, of Lone Tree township, McPherson County, Kan- sas, were married, and the two went to farm- ing for themselves. That they have succeeded is proven both by their surroundings and by the five handsome children of which they are the parents: Lena, 13; Clara, 12; Edward, 10; Lincoln, 8 and Ella, 7.
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