USA > Kansas > Woodson County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 76
USA > Kansas > Allen County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 76
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WENZEL SIEKA.
A resident of Woodson county for twenty-one years, Wenzel Sieka was for some time connected with its agricultural interests, but is now al faetor in commercial circlies in Piqua, where he is conducting a hard- ware business. He was born in Bohemia, near the city of Prague, October 6, 1850. a son of Martin and Dorothy Sieka. The father was a farmer by vecupation and in the fall of 1851 left his native land for the New World, arriving at New Orleans. on the 5th of January. 1852. Making his way up the Mississippi river, he located in St. Clair county Illinois,
-
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where he made his home until 1865, when he went to Clinton county, that state. After fifteen years there passed, he eame to Kansas in 1880, spending his remaining days in the Sunflower state, his death occurring in Piqua in 1894. when he had attained the advanced age of eighty-two years. His wife passed away in 1873. Their children were: Barbara, wife of Samuel Just, of Clinton county, Illinois; Annie, wife of Henry Albes, of Illinois; Mrs. Mary Goss. of Illinois, now deceased; Blazins, and Wenzel.
The last named was only a year old when brought by his parents to the United States and in Illinois he was reared upon the home farm, early gaining a practical knowledge of the work of fields and meadows. His school privileges were those afforded by the country schools of the neigh- borhood. After putting aside his text books he gave his attention en- tirely to farm work, following that pursuit in the Prairie state until 1880 when he came to Woodson county, Kansas, locating upon a farm in Owl Creek township. He tilled the fields and improved the place for a num- ber of years and then came to Piqua. where he has since conducted a hard- ware store. He has a well appointed establishment and his business- methods are such as to make those who once patronize him his con- stant customers. He is also still interested in farming lands in Woodson and Allen counties, and his property investments bring to him a good income.
On the 20th of May, 1873, in Clinton county, Illinois, occurred the marriage of Mr. Sieka and Miss Mary E. Fahrmann, a native of Germany, and unto them have been born nine children, namely: John, who mar- ried Tracy Freschenmeyer and is now engaged in farming in Allen county, Kansas ; Henry, of Woodson county; Elizabeth, wife of John Col- lins. of Woodson county ; Benjamin, Frank, August, Kate, Franees and Teresa, who are still under the parental roof. Mr. Sieka, like his father, is a supporter of Democratie principles, but has never been an active politician. His business affairs have elaimed his attention. and earnest labor has been the key which has opened to him the portals of success. He is a reliable and substantial citizen, and the evidence of his industrious Efe is seen in his good business and his pleasant home.
CHARLES F. PRIBBERNOW.
CHARLES F. PRIBBERNOW is a. representative of a well known and prominent family of Southeastern Kansas and is actively identified with farming and stock raising interests in this portion of the state. He was born in Prussia, February 13, 1853, a son of Christian and Sophia (Busz) Pribbernow, also natives of the same country, in whose family were seven children, namely: William; August, wife of William Stange; Charles F .; Helena, of Chetopa , Kansas, the wife of John Ritter; Amelia,
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wife of Fred Hussman, of Coffey county, Kansas; Bertha, wife of Wil- liam Lassman, of Humboldt, Kansas, and Hulda, wife of Martin Hen- richs, of Humboldt, this state.
Our subject spent the first fourteen years of his life in the fatherland and acquired his education in its public schools. In 1867 his parents, with their children, came to the United States, sailing from Bremen to New York, where they landed in due time. From the east they made their way to Lawrence, Kansas, and thenee by wagon to Woodson county. They were following in the path of Gotlieb Hartwig, who had formerly lived in the neighbor hood of the Pribbernows in Prussia and had preceded them on their emigration to the New World. On reaching their destina- ton the father purchased the farm upon which the family yet reside and there he successfully carried on agricultural pursuits until his life's labors were needed in death, in 1889, when he was seventy-six years of age. His wife preceded him for a few years passing away in 1876. Mr. Pribber- now of this review has always remained upon the old homestead, assisting in the work of the farm, and is a practical, progressive agriculturist. The family own altogether fourteen hundred aeres of valuable land and in the pastures have hundreds of head of cattle, horses and hogs. The Pribbernow farm is one of the best in the county, improved with all modern accessories, good building, well kept fenees and machinery, while the fields yield golden harvests in return for the care and labor bestowed upon them.
On the 5th of June, 1884. Mr. Pribbernow was united in marriage to Miss Mary, daughter of Charles Ostermeier, who was one of the pioneers of Woodson county, where he located in 1859. His wife bore the maiden name of Catherine Stange and they had two children. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Prihbernow has been blessed with five children: William, Augusta, Henry, Charles and Louisa, and the family cirele yet remains unbroken. Our subjeet has always been a Republican in his political af- filiations, following in the footsteps of his honored father, who in early life was a Democrat, but at the ineeption of the Republican party joined its. ranks. For fifteen years he has served as a member of the school board, the cause of education finding in him a warm friend. He has been the nominee for township treasurer and for county commissioner and lacked only six votes of being eleeted to the latter office, although he was opposed by a fusion tieket. The large vote which he polled indicated his personal popularity among his friends and neighbors and the confidence they reposed in him. He belongs to a family prominent and honored and bears worthily the untarnished name.
HENRY S. TRUEBLOOD.
HENRY S. TRUEBLOOD is certainly deserving of mention among the representative citizens of Woodson county, for he is recognized as one
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of the leading men in the Republican party. He has been identified with the organization since attaining his majority, has been true to its principles, has labored faithfully to promote its interests, and his election to offices of public trust have been but a fitting recognition of his sterling worth and high standing. A close student of the principles on which the party is founded, thoroughly conversant with the questions and issues of the day, he gives his support to Republicanism because he be- lieves firmly that the adoption of its platform will be most conducive to publie good. While he has been honored with office, fidelity to the princi- ples in which he believes has ever been with him before personal ag- grandizement, and his loyalty and patriotic spirit are widely recognized.
The life record of Mr. Trueblood began on the 9th of December. 1838, his birthplace being in Greene county, Indiana, but for many years he was a resident of Daviess county, that state. His paternal grand- father, Mark Trueblood, was one of the old time substantial citizens, a thrifty pioneer farmer who aided in making habitable the wild districts of the Hoosier state. He there served as justice of the peace in territorial days and at all times he commanded the respect and confidence of his fel- low men by his genuine worth of character.
His son, Jesse Trueblood, the father of our subject, was born in In- diana, in 1814, when it was still under the territorial form of government, and there gave his attention to agricultural pursuits throughout a long. useful and active career. He was descended from the Quaker Whigs of North Carolina and possessed many of the sterling characteristics of that religious sect. He spent the greater part of his life in Lawrence and Daviess counties and died in the latter July. 1900. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Charlotte Scott was a daughter of Henry Scott. She was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, and is still living in Daviess county, where several of her children also reside. Mr. and Mrs. Trne- blood always lived upon a farm and were progressive agrieulturists. They reared their family to habits of industry and honesty, and their children do honor to an untarnished family name. In order of birth they are as follows: Phebe, deceased wife of Nathaniel Chambers; Mark, of Daviess county, Indiana: Henry. of this review; Richard, of Daviess county : Martha, the wife of Peter Ragle, of the same county; Almira, the wife of John E. Hayes : Jesse C. : James : Aliee, wife of Albert Stuckey ; Elizabeth, wife of Fred Shafer, and Sarah, now Mrs. Pritchard Smiley. All except- ing the subject of this sketch are residing in the vicinity of the old home- stead in Indiana.
The educational advantages afforded Henry Trueblood were rather limited, for his mental training was received in the usual log schoolhouse common to the frontier, and therein he pursued his studies during the winter months, for his services were needed in the fields during the sum- mer season. In December, 1861, he was married, the lady of his choice be- ing Julia, the daughter of Sanford Gowan, a farmer. After his marriage
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Mr. Trueblood followed farming until January, 1865, when he enlisted iz the Union army as a member of company K, One Hundred and Forty- third Indiana infantry under Colonel Grill, and saw service in Tennessee. The regiment did guard and patrol duty, and was mustered out in Nash- ville, October 17, 1865.
Upon returning to his home Mr. Trueblood resumed the work of the farin and remained in his native state until 1871, when he came to Wood- son county, arriving on the 18th of October. For some years he was identified with agricultural pursuits in this locality, but subsequently put aside the labors of the farm in order to give his undivided attention to the discharge of the duties of public office entrusted to him. He served as trustee of Liberty township for four years and was elected county clerk in the fall of 1879 for a two years' term, was re-elected in 1881 and in 1884 he retired from office as he had entered it-with the confidence and good will of the entire public. His is recognized as a master mind in poli- tical circles of Woodson county. He does all in his power to promote the growth- and insure the success of his party and his opinions carry weight in party councils and his influence is strongly felt. On resuming the duties of private life Mr. Trueblood became associated in business with A. F. Palmer and the mercantile firm of Palmer & Trueblood now ranks among the foremost in Yates Center.
The home life of Mr. Trueblood has been very pleasant. His marriage to Miss Gowan resulted in the birth of seven children, namely: Richard If., who is the editor of the Yates Center News; William H .; Charles A .; Flora D. and Lillian E .; two died in infancy. The family is one of promi- rence in the community, numbered among the most valued citizens of Yates Center. Mr. Trueblood has been a resident of Woodson county for thirty years and throughout the period has been an active factor in public affairs. His co-operation has promoted many measures of public worth and benefit and in all life's relations he has followed a course at Once honorable. commendable and worthy of emulation.
E. W. NAYLOR.
A farm of eight hundred acres, well improved and stocked with a high grade of horses and catle, is an unmistakable evidence of a busy and active life. This property is in possession of E. W. Naylor, who came to Woodson county empty handed but with a resolute spirit that has enabled him to surmount difficulties, conquer obstacles and press steadily forward to the goal of prosperity. He resides in North township and his extensive agricultural and stock-raising interests have made him one of the leading farmers of the community.
Mr. Naylor is numbered among the native sons of the Keystone state, his birth having occurred in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, on the 12th
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of April. 1851. His parents were George and Barbara (Steviek) Naylor, also natives of Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Indiana in 1858, lo- cating in Allen county, where the father followed farming. His wife died in that state in 1859, but the father retained his residence there until 1891, when he came to Woodson county, Kansas, his death here occurring in 1892, when he had reached the ripe old age of seventy-six years. This worthy couple were the parents of fourteen children, eight of whom are vet living: Mrs. Sarah Tibben. Mrs. Anna Butler; George Z .; E. W .; Mrs. Lydia Hutchings; Mrs. Minerva Stewart; Mrs. Aliee Muller and David.
E. W. Naylor of this review was the fifth in order of birth. He ac- quired a good education, completing his course in a high school of his native county, and when a young man he engaged in teaching school in Indiana for one year. In 1873 he came to Kansas, settling in Woodson county ten miles northwest of Yates Center. For four years following his arrival he was connected with the educational interests of this locality as a teacher. During that time he was married and after his marriage he rented a farm and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. For three years he rented land and then with the capital which he had acquired through his own exertions he purchased eighty acres of land, which served as the nneleus around which he has gathered his present extensive possessions. He to-day has eight hundred acres constituting a valuable property, on which is an attractive residence, and one of the finest barns in the county. filled with as fine horses as can be found in the township. He handles yearly about one hundred head of cattle and an equal number of hogs and as he keeps only high grades of stock he is always sure of a ready and remunerative sal ..
On the 1st of July, 1875, Mr. Naylor was united in marriage to Miss M. Christina Miller, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Stines) Miller, also of the Hoosier state. whence they came to Kansas in 1860. They settled on Turkey creek in Woodson county, where they spent their remaining days, the father passing away at the age of seventy-nine years, while the mother died at the age of fifty-three. He was a native of Darke county, Ohio, and his wife was born in New Jersey. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Naylor have been born two children: Bessie May. a student in the Kansas University, and Wilber W., a student in the high school in Yates Center.
Mr. Naylor and his family are widely and favorably known in Wood- son county. His record is indeed creditable and thus he has won the admiration and respect of his fellow townmen. Beginning life here as a teacher of a country school receiving but a small salary, he has through the practice of industry, economy and capable management long since left the ranks of those who are daily struggling for a livelihood and stands among the men of affluence in the community. In his work he has been ably assisted by his wife, a most estimable lady whose judicious care of the household and the management of its affairs have contributed in no
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small degree to his prosperity. As a citizen his worth and loyalty have been manifest in several public offices. He has served as township trustee for two terms, and at the present writing in the spring of 1901 he is township treasurer and justice of the peace. Over the record of his publie career and private life there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil and to-day he ranks among the leading, progressive and respected agriculturists of his adopted county
JOHN SHENCK.
A veteran of the Civil war. an enterprising business man and a leading citizen of Yates Center. John Shenk certainly merits representation in this volume among the men whose labors have been of benefit to the county in the line of substantial improvement and progress. He was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, September 3, 1843, and is of German lineage. The ancestors of the family came from the Fatherland to America probably in colonial days. Michael Shenk. the father of our subject, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1818, and spent his entire life in that siate and in Illinois. Locating on the shore of Lake Erie he cleared a traet of land and developed a farm and throughout his aetive business eareer he carried on agricultural pursuits. He married Miss Sarah C. Carter, who was born near London, England, and is now a resident of Will county. Ilinois, whither the family removed in 1857. Her children are: John ; William and Jerome, who are living in Will county; Elizabeth, the wife of Harvey Brown, of Chicago Illinois: Delia, the wife of Napoleon Leslie. of Will county : Ida, wife of Calvin Whitson, of Pontiac Illinois, and Min- nie, wife of John Jilson, also of Will county.
Mr. Shenck, whose name begins this record, was a youth of fourteen years when he accompanied his parents on their removal from Pennsyl- vania to Will county, Illinois, where he was reared. The education which he had acquired in the east was supplemented by study in the schools of the Prairie state and in his youth he assisted in the work of his father's farm. He was only nineteen years of age when in 1862 he joined the boys in blue of company I. One Hundredth Illinois infantry for service in the Civil war under Colonel Bartleson. The regiment was attached to the Second Brigade of the Second Division of the Fourth Army Corps and be- gan active service at Louisville, Kentucky, where it was equipped. Mr. Shenek participated in a number of hotly contested engagements. ineluding the battles of Perryville. Stone river, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and the seige and capture of Atlanta. He then returned northward under the command of General Thomas and participated in the battles of Franklin and Nashville and in the second contest at Perryville. During the last of the war his regiment was stationed in the vicinity of Nashville and when hostilities were over and the country ro longer needed the military
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aid of its soldiers the One Hundredth Illinois was mustered out at Chicago:
Mr. Shenek then returned to Will county to resume the pursuits of civil life and for four years was engaged in farming there. He after- ward spent a few years in teaming in Braidwood, that county, and also dealt in eoal. On discontinuing his labors along those lines of activity he beeame connected with the butchering business which he has since made his ource of livelihood. He remained a resident of Illinois until 1884 when le came to Woodson county. settling in Yates Center and for more than sixteen years he has conducted a meat market in this place. He enjoys a large profitable trade, easily retaining an extensive patronage by reason of his moderate prices, his earnest desire to please and his fair dealing.
In 1866, in Will county, Illinois, Mr. Shenek was joined in wedlock to. Miss Sarah Wright, a daughter of Cherrington Wright, a native of Eng- land, as was also his wife. They have had five children: Fred C., who is associated in business with his father: Ada and John, both deceased ; Lester and Walter, at home. Since the organization of the party the Sheneks have been Republieans and our subjeet is a stalwart advocate of the' party. Socially he is connected with the Masonie fraternity and he also he- longs to George D. Carpenter Post. G. A. R. He made for himself a ereditable military record upon the tented fields of the south and is to-day as loyal to the best interests of citizenship as when he followed the Stars and Stripes through the Confederacy.
GEORGE MOERER.
The unostentatious routine of private life, although of vast importanee to the welfare of the community. has not figured to any great extent in the pages of history. But the names of men who have distinguished themselves by the possession of characteristies that have enabled them to eonquer an adverse fate and advanee their individual prosperity and at the same time contribute to the publie good should not be permitted to perish. Their example is more valuable to the majority of readers than that of heroes. statesmen and writers for it is the few who enter such I'nes of life while the many are found in the great fields of agriculture and commeree and desire to know of methods that will aid them in such branches of business. The history of George Moerer should not fail to serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to those who would know of practical methods for he has depended upon industry and perse- veranee to gain advancement to a position among the wealthy and highly respected eitizens of Woodson county.
A native of Prussia, he was born December 3, 1835, a son of Christo- pher and Sophia (Struwe) Moerer. who were also natives of Germany, whenee they came to America in 1853. landing at Galveston, Texas, on the 26th of . December. They remained for about a year in the Lone Star
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:state, and then went to Platt county, Missouri, but wishing to locate where they could secure cheap land they removed to Nemaha county, Nebraska. The mother died in Missouri, but the father followed farming in Nebraska until his death which occurred when he was seventy-seven years of age. They had four children, but only two are now living-Frantz and George, the elder now a resident of Nebraska.
George Moerer spent the first eighteen years of his life in the father- land and then accompanied his parents to the New World. He soon com- menced work by the month on a farm and was thus employed until he had saved money enough with which to purchase four hundred and twenty acres of raw prairie land in Nebraska. There he made a good farm and .completed his arrangements for a home by his marriage to Miss Sophia Zabeł. For twenty-three years he resided upon his Nebraska farm, mak- ing many excellent improvements and transforming it into a valuable property. In October, 1885. he came to Kansas and located at his present home. purchasing seven hundred and twenty acres of land on Cherry creek, in Everett township, two miles north and five miles east of Yates C'enter. The place was well improved with large barns and other buildings and all modern accessories and conveniences for facilitating the farm work and rendering it profitable. His buildings stand on the east bank of (Cherry creek, close to the timber which borders each side of the stream and furnishes him all the wood which he needs for use upon the farm. The place is well stocked with cattle and horses and he raises none but the best grades. His stock gives every indication of good breeding and Mr. Moerer finds no difficulty in making sales when he wishes to dispose of either horses or cattle. In addition to his present farm of seven hundred and twenty acres, Mr. Moerer was also the owner of one hundred and sixty aeres of land, which he divided equally between two of his sons.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Moerer was blessed with ten children and with the exception of one who died in infancy all are yet living. namely: Frank, who resides near his father, Ida, who is acting as her father's housekeeper: Julins, a resident of Woodson county : Emma, wife of D. L. Gregory, who is living in Southport, Tennessee ; Martha. wife of Henry Kopper. of Woodson county : William, Henry. Albert and Lydia, who are still at home.
Mr. Moerer exercises his right of franchise in support of the Demo- eraey, but has never sought office, giving his undivided attention to his business, whereby he has won success. The subject of this review has through his own exertions attained an honorahle position and marked sisteney it may be said that he is the architect of his own fortunes, and is one whose prosperity amply justifies the application of the somewhat hackneyed but most expressive title, "a self- made man."
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HENRY E. OLD.
HENRY E. OLD is a prosperous business man of Liberty township, Woodson county, now engaged in merchandising at Burt. a little village about nine miles northwest of Yates Center. For a number of years he- was connected with the educational interests of the county and thus became widely known. He was born in Miami county, Indiana, August 8, 1869, a son of James H. and Phoebe A. (Kerschner) Old, also natives of the Hoosier state. The father has devoted the greater part of his life to agri- cultural pursuits. He came to Woodson county, Kansas, in 1882, and is. now living in Eureka, this state, at the age of fifty-eight years. His wife passed away in 1889, when forty-one years of age. They were the parents of nine children and are yet living with the exception of the eldest who was killed by the accidental discharge of a gun, near Burling- ton, Kans.
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