USA > Kansas > Atchison County > History of Atchison County, Kansas > Part 54
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JOHN L. RATERMAN.
From office boy to manager for one of the most widely known concerns in the United States, or the civilized world, is the story of the life of him of whom this review is written. The history of J. L. Raterman, manager for R. G. Dun & Company, Mercantile Agency, shows what can be accomplished by beginning at the lowest rung of the ladder, learning every detail of the business, and eventually fitting himself for the important and responsible position of manager.
The business of R. G. Dun & Company was first established in Atchi- son in 1886, with G. T. Bolman as manager. Other managers succeeded Mr. Bolman in the course of time, but Mr. Raterman has held the position longer than any of his predecessors. He began as office boy in 1890, when but four- teen years of age, it being necessary for him to leave his school studies when a pupil of the sixth grade. During his idle moments around the office, young Raterman practiced on the typewriter, and it was not long until he was able to do typist's work efficiently and satisfactorily. He was soon promoted and became a regular typist, and mastered shorthand at the end of three years of study. Seven years later he was advanced to the post of chief clerk, and in 1900 was promoted to the important post of manager of the Atchison
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branch of R. G. Dun & Company. As manager, Mr. Raterman travels over seven counties, collecting necessary data regarding the business concerns of ยท his territory, including the six counties of northeast Kansas and DeKalb county, Missouri. He is personally acquainted with practically every business man in his district.
J. L. Raterman was born in Atchison, Kan., October 25, 1876, a son of John and Elizabeth ( Myers) Raterman, both of whom were born in Germany, immigrated to this country in youth and were married in Cincinnati, Ohio. John Raterman came to Atchison in 1857, and was one of the well known pioneer merchants of the city, operating a grocery store here in the early days. He conducted his grocery store for twenty-five years, and died Decem- ber 21, 1902. Mrs. Raterman is living in Atchison at the advanced age of eighty years. Mr. and Mrs. Raterman left a family of seven children.
ULYSSES B. SHARPLESS.
Ulysses B. Sharpless, treasurer of Atchison county, is one of the most successful citizens and business men of the county. He is the son of pioneer parents. Reared on a pioneer farm, successful as a merchant and public offi- ical, he is universally recognized as one of the most influential men of Atchi- son county today. Mr. Sharpless is a descendant of old American stock, his ancestors having been among the original 100 Quaker families brought over from England by William Penn, and colonized near and within the city of Philadelphia. in 1682. Joseph Sharpless, the direct ancestor of U. B. Sharpless, erected a stone house on the ancestral farm of the family in 1700, near the city of Chester, Pa., which is still standing in an excellent state of preservation. One room of this old and stanch dwelling is still in exactly the same condition as the original builder left it. The timbers and boards of this house were drawn together by means of wooden pins instead of nails.
U. B. Sharpless was born January 18, 1870, in Delaware, a son of Benja- min T. and Susan (Green) Sharpless, the former of whom was a native of Delaware, and the latter a native of Pennsylvania. The family resided in Delaware until 1878 and then migrated to the West, settling on a farm near Pardee in Atchison county, Kansas. Here Benjamin T. lived and reared his family of six children, as follows: Mrs. Cora E. (Burdick), deceased; Mrs. Olivia R. (Pfouts),. deceased; Mrs. Susan Ella (Shifflet), of Atchison ; Ulysses B., with whom this narrative is directly concerned; Carrie died in
C. M. VOELKER. County Clerk.
U. B. SHARPLESS, County Treasurer.
143
CIAS. T. GUNDY, City Judge.
S. S. KING, County Commissioner.
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infancy ; Mrs. Emma M. Hulings, Center township, Atchison county, Benja- min Sharpless died in 1894, and the mother of the foregoing children departed this life in 1908.
He of whom this review is written was eight years of age when the Sharpless family came to Atchison county. He was reared to young manhood on his father's farm and learned to cultivate the soil under the tutelage of his father, who was a successful farmer. He was educated in the common schools and early learned to apply his education to the best advantage for himself. When twenty-one years of age he obtained his first position as manager of a general store at Monrovia, Kan. This position entailed a number of duties which kept him busily employed for a number of years. From 1891 to 1903 Mr. Sharpless managed the Monrovia store, served as postmaster, and per- formed the duties of station agent for the railroad company. However, he found time to take an interest in politics and became active in the affairs of the Republican party when yet a young man. In 1903 he removed to Effing- ham, Kan., and engaged in the hardware and implement and grain business with considerable success. He still retains his interest in this business, al- though now a resident of Atchison. Mr. Sharpless has also become a land owner in the county and has farm lands near Effingham.
He was married in 1892 to Sadie A. Cook, born and reared in Atchison county, and a daughter of Thomas F. and Margaret Cook, who were pioneer settlers of this county, coming here from Missouri in 1860. To Mr. and Mrs. Sharpless have been born five children : Gladys A., Margaret S., Edith Au- bine died at the age of seven years; Lois A., and Alice Marie. All of the living children are attending the Atchison public schools.
The civic and political career of Mr. Sharpless has been an interesting one and he has risen from the rank and file of the Republican party to become one of the recognized leaders of his party in Atchison county and Kansas. His first civic office was as police judge of Effingham. He also served a term as mayor of that city. He was elected a member of the State legisla- ture from legislative district No. 3. in Atchison county in 1910 and again elected to succeed himself in 1912. He was also a member of the Atchi- son County High School board and served as treasurer of this organization. In the fall election of 1914 he was elected to the office of county treasurer by a large and handsome majority-evidence of his great personal popularity among all classes of citizens. He assumed the duties of the treasurer's office in October of 1915, and is bestowing the same care and application in the discharge of his public duties in this capacity as he has always taken in the conduct of his personal business affairs.
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Mr. Sharpless is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Blue Lodge, No. 48, and is a Knights Templar and Royal Arch Mason. He is past noble grand of Spartan Lodge, No. 250, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, of Effingham, Kan., and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, of the latter city. He is also fraternally allied with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Fra- ternal Aid Union of Atchison.
CONRAD M. VOELKER.
It is certainly a distinction to be known as the youngest county clerk, and in all probability the youngest county official ever elected in the State of Kansas. Such is C. M. Voelker, the efficient and justly popular county clerk of Atchison county. Political honors and preferment rarely come to a really young man, unless he is especially qualified for the work, and has a host of friends who are willing and able to support him and his candidacy. Although young in years, Mr. Voelker is performing his duties in a manner which would reflect distinct credit upon an older individual.
Conrad M. Voelker is a native of Atchison county, having been born May 20, 1889, on a farm, four miles north of Atchison, in Shannon town- ship. His father is Conrad Walker, who was born in Germany November 20, 1856, a son of Karl and Christiana Voelker, who immigrated to America in 1861, and settled on a farm, two miles north of the city, where he operated a dairy and truck farm until his demise. To Karl and Christiana Voelker were born the following children: Conrad; Mrs. Joseph Biddle, of Atchison ; Henry, residing in New Orleans; Karl Voelker was twice married, Mrs. S. L. Loyd, of Shannon township, being a daughter of the second marriage. Conrad, father of C. M. Voelker, was reared to manhood in Atchison county, and when he became of age, settled on a 160 acre farm, four miles north of Atchison, which is now one of the best improved farms in the State of Kan- sas. For a number of years he specialized in the cultivation of cabbage, making a success of the venture, and accumulated considerable money. He became known far and wide as the "Cabbage King" of Kansas, always hav- ing the first cabbage on the market, and shipped the product of his fields to points in Kansas and Nebraska in carload lots. The Voelkers have a beauti- ful, well appointed home, with excellent out buildings. Conrad Voelker mar- ried Jennie Mueller, who was born in Cooper county, Missouri, November
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15, 1862, a daughter of German parents. To Conrad Voelker and wife were born the following children : Fred C. W., a farmer, living north of Atchison ; Conrad M. The Voelkers are members of the Lutheran church.
Conrad M., with whom this narrative is directly concerned, was edu- cated primarily in the district schools, his education being supplemented with one year's study in the German school in Atchison, and a course in Midland College, where he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1909. He then completed a course in commerce and bookkeeping in the Atch- ison Business College. While a sophomore of Midland College he won first honors in the oratorical contest, and represented his alma mater at the State oratorical contest, held in Salina, Kan. While yet a student he received the appointment of deputy county clerk under Edward Iverson, March 13, 1910. He was elected to the office on the Republican ticket in November, 1912, and again elected without any opposition in the fall of 1914.
A more intimate personal view of this rising young man was published in the Atchison Champion just previous to assuming the duties of his office after his election :
"Conrad M. Voelker, county clerk elect, when he takes office January I, 1913, will have the distinction of being the youngest man ever elected to the office of county clerk in Kansas. Mr. Voelker, while he appears to be much older, is but twenty-three years old. He is popular; this was proven hy the fact that he was elected by a majority of 955 votes.
"Mr. Voelker is the son of Conrad Voelker. He was born four miles north of Atchison. He never passes up an opportunity to learn something. When four years old Mr. Voelker started to school. He was graduated from the eighth grade at ten years of age, and in 1909 he was graduated from Midland College. When he finished the common schools he studied in a German school for one year; so he both reads and writes German. He com- pleted a double course at the Atchison Business College in five months, grad- uating in March, 1910, and a few days later he was appointed deputy county clerk. When Mr. Voelker was eighteen years of age he took part in the Kan- sas intercollegiate oratorical contest, which was held at Salina. There were nineteen other contestants, several of them being men twice the age of Voel- ker, who were going through college for the second time. Voelker won fourth place in the contest, which in addition to being quite an honor, dem- onstrated that he has great ability as a public speaker.
"There is no doubt that he will be re-elected two years hence. He un- doubtedly will prove to be one of the most efficient county clerks in the his- tory of the county."
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The last paragraph was prophetic, as Mr. Voelker's second election to the office in 1914 will testify. His re-election was the best evidence of his siIc- cess and strong personal popularity. Mr. Voelker is affiliated with several fraternal societies, an active party worker, what is known as a good mixer, and a rising young citizen of the county, whose future career will be well worth watching, inasmuch as he is bound to gain greater honors in the years to come, and to climb to a still higher place in the civic life of his home county and State.
SAMUEL S. KING.
Samuel S. King. a member of the board of county commissioners of Atch- ison county, was born in Moorestown, N. J .. May 16, 1856. One year later. in 1857, he came to Atchison with his parents, John and Violet King, on a boat owned by Dr. Challiss. The King family arrived at Atchison in April of 1857. John King soon afterward settled on a farm six miles southwest of Atchison, where Samuel S. lived until he was fifteen years of age. He then came to Atchison for the purpose of attending the city schools. During vaca- tions he worked for McPike & Allen (later McPike & Fox). After finish- ing his public school education Mr. King was employed as bookkeeper for some time by White, Washer & King, now the S. R. Washer Grain Company. He was also employed as bookkeeper by McPike & Fox, WV. F. Dolan and others until 1881. In that year he was appointed by Senator John J. Ingalls to a position in the United States railway mail service and was sent to New Mexico and Arizona as railway mail agent. Here he remained in the United States Government service for about two years and then resigned to enter the employ of P. B. Brannen & Company as bookkeeper and manager at Flagstaff. Ariz. This firm conducted a jobbing house at Flagstaff which was then the largest town on the railroad between Albuquerque, N. M., and Los Angeles. Cal. In June, 1886, he and his family returned to Atchison and Mr. King became the confidential bookkeeper of McPike & Fox, wholesale druggists. and remained with this concern until the fall of 1897, when he resigned to take up his duties as county clerk.
Mr. King had always been more or less interested in politics and he was elected to the office of county clerk on the Republican ticket in the fall of 1897. He was subsequently reelected and held the office for nine years, or until January. 1907. He then engaged in the real estate and insurance business which he still follows with offices at 106 North Fifth street. Mr.
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King was elected mayor of the city of Atchison in April, 1907, and served as the city executive for two years, and later was appointed city clerk to fill out the unexpired term of C. A. Hawk, who resigned. In the fall of 1914 he was elected county commissioner, an office which he is at present filling in a capable and efficient manner.
Mr. King was married April 14, 1885, at Flagstaff, Ariz., to Miss Sarah Hawks, of Newton, Kan. Two children have been born of this marriage, namely, Grace and Victor. Mr. King is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, of which lodge he is a trustee, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Mystic Workers, and the Central Protective Association. There are few citizens who are more highly esteemed, and Atchison county has not a more popular pubic official than S. S. King.
CHARLES T. GUNDY.
This history of Atchison county is issued not only for the purpose of inscribing a record of those who have built up the county and were here dur- ing the pioneer days and endured the hardships of the pioneer life, but for recording as well the life stories of those who came later and have won places of merit and distinction in the affairs of the city and county of Atchison. It is probable that few men have attained such eminence as Judge Charles T. Gundy of the city court of Atchison during his brief residence here. The esteem in which he is held and the successful manner in which he has per- formed the duties of his judicial position are decided evidences of his ability. His standing among the members of the legal fraternity is high and he well merits the confidence of his fellow citizens. The conduct of his court is marked for the fairness of his decisions in suits of equity and the settlement of such cases as come under his jurisdiction have been accomplished to the satisfaction of the parties concerned.
Judge Charles T. Gundy is a native of Scotland county, Missouri, and he was born and reared on his father's farm, eight miles northwest of the thriving and progressive city of Memphis. He evinces much of the character- istics of the good people of Scotland county, who are noted for their hospital- ity and kindliness. He was born February 10, 1878, and is a son of George MI. and Margaret M. ( Needham) Gundy, natives of Illinois and Missouri. respectively. George M. Gundy was born in 1845 and is a son of Jacob Gundy, a native of Holland, who settled in Scotland County, Missouri, as early
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as 1846. George M. still resides on the old home place of the Gundy family. This farm consists of 160 acres of well tilled land on which have been reared six children out of a family of seven, as follows : Charles T., with whom this review is directly concerned; Louis W. and Jacob R., farmers of Scotland county, Missouri; Mrs. Corda Crawford, of Scotland county; Gladys, de- ceased; Pearl and Merl at home with their parents. The mother of these children is a native of Scotland county, and was born in 1858, a daughter of David Needham, a veteran of the Civil war and a scion of an old Kentucky family. He served three years as a soldier in the late rebellion, and after returning home met an accidental death by a falling tree. The ancestral home of the Needhams is near Frankfort, Ky. The Gundy family is held in high esteem in their home county and the members of the family are well respected by their friends and acquaintances.
Charles T. Gundy was educated in the rural schools and attended the Memphis Academy for one year. Circumstances were such that he found it necessary to do considerable studying at home and "burned the midnight oil" in the pursuit of an education. He fitted himself for teaching and taught for four years in the schools of his native county. In the meantime he read law and was successful in being admitted to the bar in 1902. For three years thereafter he practiced his profession in Memphis. He then secured a Gov- ernment position in the postoffice department at Washington, D. C., and pursued his law studies in the National University at Washington. He grad- uated from that institution May 30, 1908. Having small desire to become a mere cog in a great machine, as seemed to be the lot of thousands of Govern- ment employes, he resigned his position in October of the same year and lo- cated in Keokuk, Iowa, and had charge of the farm loan department of the State Central Savings Bank. He resigned this position in March of 1910 and came to Atchison, opening an office in the Auld building on Commercial street. Since this time he has built up an excellent practice. He was appointed city judge in December of 1910 to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge J. P. Adams. He was elected to the office in 1912 and again elected in 1914.
Judge Gundy was united in marriage with Eleanor M. McCormick on August 12, 1909. Mrs. Gundy was a resident of Washington, D. C., and is a daughter of John McCormick, who died in 1905. Judge Gundy is a mem- ber of the Baptist church and he and Mrs. Gundy have a wide circle of friends who esteem them for their many likable qualities.
The Republican party has always claimed the allegiance of Judge Gundy and he takes an active and influential interest in political affairs.
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LOUIS R. KUEHNHOFF.
Louis R. Kuehnhoff, farmer and stockman, of Lancaster town- ship, Atchison county, Kansas, was born January 1, 1880, on the farm where he now resides. He is a son of Charles and Caroline Kuehnhoff, and is one of nine children, six of whom are living. The father was born in Germany in 1841, and left there when a boy of sixteen years and sailed for New York. He remained there a short time when he went west, arriving at St. Joseph, Mo. He had not been there very long when the Civil war broke out and he enlisted at St. Joseph in Company B of the Volunteer infantry. After the war was over he was mustered out at Lexington, Mo., having won a praiseworthy military record in his country's service. He then returned to civil life in St. Joseph, Mo., where he worked for a time as a laborer, receiv- ing eight dollars a month. Shortly afterward he came to Atchison county, Kansas, and bought eighty acres of land in section 10, Lancaster township. Using oxen, he broke the ground on his newly acquired farm and began to improve it as rapidly as his resources would permit. In 1894 he retired and went to live at the National Soldiers' Home at Leavenworth, Kan., where he died in 1903. The mother was born in Germany in 1845, and died in 1899.
Louis R. Kuehnhoff grew up on his father's farm, and attended Eden district school, and also District No. 3, Lancaster township. He remained at home until he was nineteen years of age, and the next five years worked as a farm hand, and then he bought the old home place of 200 acres. Louis Kuehnhoff is an industrious worker. He keeps graded stock of all kinds and takes a special interest in fine mules. He always attends the county fairs in Atchison county and occasionally makes entries. On April 26, 1905, he was married to Lena Werner, who was born in Germany November 2, 1881. Her parents were John and Marie (Earhart) Werner. The father was born in Germany in 1815. He belonged to the Masonic lodge in Germany. In 1889, when he was quite an old man, he came to America and settled at Leaven- worth, where he died in 1891. The mother was born in Germany January 17, 1843, and is now living with her children, of whom there are six, as follows : Adam, teamster, Leavenworth, Kan .; Martha Nolan, deceased; Liz- zie Loman, Bowling, Kan .: Katherine Weimer, Wallula, Wyandotte county, Kansas; Lena, wife of Mr. Kuehnhoff, of this review. Mrs. Kuehnhoff attended the Pleasant Ridge school and the German school, north of Potter, Kan. She is a good, loyal, hard-working mother, and has three children: Marie, Edna and Edwin. The last two are twins and are three years old. In politics Mr. Kuehnhoff is independent. He is a member of the Independent
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Order of Odd Fellows. He is a progressive farmer and is constantly on the lookout for improvements in agricultural methods. He has a fine eight-room house and a large barn equipped with modern conveniences. He also has a stone milk-house which was built by his father years ago. He has a small but thriving orchard and has twelve head of fine cattle. Besides these, he has four horses and a span of excellent mules. Mr. Kuehnhoff takes a lively interest in his stock and in his farm generally.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN SANDERS.
All honor to the pioneer settlers of Kansas. It was they who broke the way in the unpeopled wilderness and endured the hardships and privations on the frontier of advancing civilization in order that the path of empire might be pushed steadily westward, ever onward toward the setting sun. Their work is done: the halcyon pioneer days when this broad land was but a vast unbroken wilderness of waving prairie grass, dotted here and there with belts of timber along the streams, is no more; towns and cities have sprung up; the locomotive shrieks its way over the ribbon-like rails, hauling the products of the land to the millions in need of sustenance, where once the hardy freighters drove their mule teams and guarded the precious freight overland to the homes of the settlers in the West. Benjamin Franklin San- ders is one of the few remaining members of the "old guard," who sixty years ago began the task of reclaiming a wilderness. He is one of the ranking old pioneer settlers of Atchison county and has lived a record which is thrill- ing and interesting to a high degree. He is the only living "ye old time fiddler" in Atchison county, who with his comrade was wont to play at the old-time dances and "hoe downs" in northeast Kansas fifty years and more ago.
Benjamin Franklin Sanders is now living retired in Center township, Atchison county. He was born August 8, 1833, in Franklin county, Mis- souri, and is a son of George and Elizabeth (Graham) Sanders, who were the parents of the following children : Nancy married William McQuillan, and by her second marriage became Mrs. William Burns, and died in Benton county, Missouri : Robert, deceased; Oliver died in Jewell county, Kansas ; Lydia married Fred Wilming, and died in Shannon township, Atchison county ; William died in Franklin county, Missouri, and Benjamin, the sub- ject of this sketch. Benjamin F. Sanders was sent to the country school in
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