USA > Kansas > Atchison County > History of Atchison County, Kansas > Part 77
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87
Mr. Kaufman was married September 6, 1905, to Carrie E. Hackney, and this marriage has been blessed with two children : Fred, Jr., and Maxine C., both of whom are at home with their parents. Mrs. Kaufman was born October 27, 1884, at Agency, Buchanan county, Missouri, and is a daughter of Alfred and Pauline (Slover) Hackney, natives of Wisconsin and Missouri, respectively. Alfred Hackney was a son of Thomas and Mary (Saxton) Hackney, the former a native of England. Thomas was an early pioneer set- tler in Doniphan county, Kansas, coming there about 1852, and also operated a drug store at Wathena, Doniphan county. Mrs. Thomas Hackney is still
783
HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY
living at the age of eighty-eight years, born August, 1827 Alfred 1- now living in retirement at St. Joseph, Mo., and has attained the age of sixty-five years. Mrs. Kaufman's mother died in 1904, at the age of forty years,
Mr. Kaufman is a Republican in politics and is affiliated with the United Commercial Travelers' lodge at Hastings, Neb. He and Mrs. Kaufman at- tend religious worship at the Baptist church, of which Mrs. Kaufman is a member. Mr. Kaufman is a splendid type of self-made man whose success in the mercantile field is certain to continue in the years to come. His busi- ness methods are such as to commend him favorably to the many patrons of his store; he is likewise a good citizen who has the best interest of his town and county at heart.
ARNOLD LANGE.
Lancaster township, Atchison county, is rightly considered as one of the genuine garden spots of the State of Kansas, because of the fertility of the soil, the well kept appearance of the fields, and the excellent improvements on the farms, the owners of which seem to vie with each other as to who can have the nicest looking and most productive farm. This township has a large German population, or rather, American citizen farmers, of German birth or descent, and it is a proverb in this land that, wherever you see a community of thrifty farmers of German descent, there you will find enterprise, thrift and progress. Arnold Lange, of this township, is a successful farmer and breeder, of German birth who has made good in his adopted country and holds a high place in the citizenship of the county.
Arnold Lange was born in Westphalia, Prussia, German Empire, Decem- ber 23, 1853, and is a son of Herman and Charlotte (Mittendorf) Lange, who were born and reared in the Fatherland. Herman Lange was a farmer and coal dealer, and also conducted a grocery store for a time. He was born in 1824, lived all of his life in his native land and died in 1907. His wife, Charlotte, died in 1899, at the age of seventy-six years. They were the par- ents of twelve children, six of whom are living.
Arnold Lange received his schooling in Germany and worked as farmer and teamster until his emigration from Germany to America in 1882. He set- tled in Atchison county and invested his capital in eighty acres of land north of Huron, which he cultivated for nine years with fair success. He then sold the farm at an increase over the purchase price and bought the farm which now constitutes his home place and which contains 240 acres of good land. The
784
HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY
improvements on the land when Mr. Lange purchased the tract were indif- ferent and included a small house. Naturally one of his thrift and pride could not remain long content with poor accommodations and he has built a commodious farm residence and a very fine barn and improved the looks of his place with shrubbery and trees until it presents a handsome appearance. He has also set out an orchard of six acres. Mr. Lange has specialized in his live stock raising with considerable success and his efforts in breeding thor- oughbred Percheron horses have met with reward commensurate with his efforts. He has bred and raised some very fine animals of this class and in 1906 was awarded first prize on Percheron draft animals at the county fair held in Effingham. His interest is given to· breeding fine cattle and his herd of shorthorns are as good as can be found in the county.
Mr. Lange was married in 1883 to Miss Minnie Kloepper, who has borne him three children : Herman, of Huron, Kan .; William, a farmer, of Grass- hopper township, and Arnold, a graduate of the Huron schools and at home assisting his father in the farm work. The mother of these children was born December 14, 1865, in Illinois, and is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christian Kloepper deceased. Mr. Lange is a Democrat, and is a member of the German Lutheran church. He is fraternally connected with the Modern Woodmen lodge.
WILLIAM H. GRANER.
"The Graner Farm."
According to competent authority there are in Atchison county a num- her of pure bred live stock breeders, who, if they received the recognition to which they are rightly entitled, would take high rank among the leading live stock men of the country. Among these specialists are William H. and Henry C. Graner, sons of one of the pioneer pure bred live stock breeders of the county who are following in their father's footsteps and have made a name and fame for themselves which extend far beyond the borders of this county and beyond the borders of the State of Kansas. William H. Graner, pro- prietor of the "Graner Farm," which is the old homestead of the Graner family, is one of the most successful agriculturists of the county and is deserv- ing of special credit for his progressiveness and decided ability as a breeder of fine live stock. The "Graner Farm" is one of the best stocked and best equipped ranches in the West and is noted for its fine Shorthorn cattle and
.
Gottlieb Graner
Mrs. Martha (Hauch) Graner
The Old Graner Homestead, W. H. Graner. Owner.
A. H. James
I. C. Graner.
-
Crowd of prosperous Kansas farmers at H. C. Graner's Annual Sale of Large Type Poland China Sows, May 27, 1913. Pleasant Hill Stock Farm, Lancaster, Kansas.
HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY
standard bred Percheron horses. Mr. Graner learned the breeding lois nes- from his father and has made a success of the undertaking. His farm con- sists of 160 acres, which was formerly owned and developed by his father, Gottlieb Graner. On this farm are some very fine animals of the pure bred Shorthorn type which will compare most favorably in breeding and appear- ance with anything of the kind in the country. His herd of Percherons include twenty registered mares which have won many prizes at county fairs and live stock exhibits in Kansas. Mr. Graner has owned and used two grandsons of "Brilliant," the sons of "Old Brilliant," and Fire of these animals, the "Colored Gentleman," was awarded first and championship over all draft horses at the world's exhibit of live stock at the Chicago international exhibi- tion in 1893. All of his mares' ancestry is traced back to "Old Brilliant" and this strain predominates in his drove of fine Percherons.
In the breeding of Shorthorn cattle he has used such sires as a son of the imported cow, "Ballechin," "Charming Maid," V67-616, "Sire Cere- monious Archer," 171479. A number of the cows in Mr. Graner's herd are sired by "Victor Archer," 223102, a pure Victoria, and one of the finest strains of Shorthorn cattle known. Mr. Graner has not shown any of his fine stock cattle outside of Atchison county. He has six large cattle barns for the hous- ing of his live stock and ships the product of his farm to buyers and fanciers in all parts of the United States.
Gottlieb Graner, founder of the "Graner Farm," and father of William H. and Henry C. Graner, of Lancaster township, was born in Germany in 1835. and immigrated from the Fatherland to America at the age of sixteen years. He first settled in Illinois where he worked as a farm hand, and a few years later came west to Kansas City, Mo. In this city he invested his sav- ings in a city lot which is now in the heart of the most valuable business dis- trict of the southwest metropolis, but he eventually let the lot go for taxes. From Kansas City he made his way to the city of Atchison where he found employment in a brewery at a salary of $100 per month. He saved his money and in 1868 purchased 160 acres of raw prairie land in Lancaster township. for which he paid five dollars an acre. He became a breeder of Shorthorn cattle and Percheron horses and succeeded in this undertaking. being one of the pioneer breeders of the western country. At the time of his demise, in 1804. he was the owner of 560 acres of well improved farm lands.
Gottlieb Graner married Martha Hauck, also a native of Germany, and who died in 1905. To this well and favorably known pioneer couple were born the following children: Mrs. Matilda Stansburger, a widow, residing in California; William H., with whose career this review is directly concerned ;
(50)
-86
HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY
Henry C., a farmer and stockman, living near William H .; Ferdinand, living in New York, and Adolph, residing in California. Mr. and Mrs. Gottlieb Graner were Lutherans, and honest, industrious, God-fearing people.
William H. Graner was born June 13, 1869, on the farm which he now owns in Lancaster township. He was reared on his father's farm and attended the Bell district school and also studied in the Monroe Institute at Atchison, after which he pursued a course in the Atchison business college. His com- mercial course occupied a period of four years and has proven to be invaluable to him in the management of his extensive farming interests. After complet- ing his commercial course Mr. Graner went to work on the home farm with his father. After his father's demise in 1894 he took charge of the farm and managed it until all the children became of age. The estate left by his father was then divided, and William bought the interests of the other heirs in the home farm and came into possession of the homestead place of 160 acres which he has improved with several barns and modern farm buildings. He has prospered and is now the owner of 560 acres of land, two farms, each of which is well equipped with good buildings. One of these farms is tilled by a tenant, and Mr. Graner had planted in 1915 140 acres of corn.
Mr. Graner was married in 1898 to Miss Clara Matthias, and to this union have been born four children, namely : Martha, deceased; Louis, Mar- guerite, and Esther, at home with their parents. Mrs. Graner was born Feb- ruary 6, 1871, in Lancaster township, a daughter of Fred and Agnes (Boden -. doerfer) Matthias, both of whom were natives of Germany and immigrated from the Fatherland to America and became early pioneer settlers in Atchison county. Mrs. Graner attended the Rock district school in her youth and is an excellent helpmeet to her husband and a kind mother to her children.
Mr. Graner is an independent in politics and prefers to vote for the man. regardless of party affiliations. He is a member of the Lutheran church, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and Modern Woodmen of America. He is a well educated and versatile citizen and a capable and successful business man, as well as farmer and breeder. He has achieved a considerable measure of prominence in the county and State because of his decided ability. Besides his farming interests he is a stockholder of the Independent Harvester Com- pany of Plano, Ill., of which concern he is the county agent, a large warehouse having been erected on the "Graner Farm" for the purpose of housing the implement stock sold to farmers in the neighborhood. Mr. Graner is a mem- ber and stockholder of the Percheron Society of America, the Importers and Breeders, and the American Percheron Registry Association, and is a mem- ber of the American Shorthorn Breeders' Association. He is a director in the
787
HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY
Brown County Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of which prosperous con- cern he has been a director for fifteen years.
HENRY C. GRANER. "Pleasant Hill Stock Farm."
Situated on a hillside within sight of the old Graner homestead in Lan- caster township, Atchison county, is the "Pleasant Hill Stock Farm," owned and managed by Henry C. Graner, one of the most successful and best known farmers and breeders of northeast Kansas. Mr. Graner is a son of Gottlieb Graner, a pioneer in the pure bred live stock industry of Atchison county, whose biography appears in the review of the life of William H. Graner on the preceding pages of this history of their home county. The "Pleasant Hill Stock Farm" is unquestionably one of the best equipped modern breeding plants in the State of Kansas and is famed over the West for the product of its fields and barns. This farm consists of 240 acres of well tilled and well improved land, situated two miles north of the town of Lancaster and only a quarter of a mile from the birthplace of Henry C. Graner. In addition to his home place, Mr. Graner is the owner of 160 acres of land which he uses for pasturing his live stock. The home farm is well equipped with two farm dwellings and five well built barns and granaries with other conveniences to facilitate the handling of live stock. The owner has given special attention to equipping his farm for the breeding of fine cattle and hogs. He pays a great deal of attention to his Poland China hogs and is a breeder of the Big Type Poland China swine, which are among the best in the United States. Mr. Graner ships the product of his breeding pens to all parts of the country and has annual sales of thoroughbred hogs which are a feature of the country- side. To show the prices obtained from his sales in 1914, one small sow sold for $500. He handles the Big Type Poland China breed exclusively and is a regular exhibitor at county fairs and has frequently taken first prizes and many blue ribbons. His drove of fine hogs exceeded 300 in 1915, all pure bred stock.
Mr. Graner's herd of Shorthorn cattle is of the Scotch pure bred strain and bred to "Choice Goods," a famous strain known the world over for qual- ity. He has also shown his fine cattle at the county fairs and live stock exhibits and carried off many first prizes. His herd of pure bred Shorthorns numbers fifty head at the present time, all registered stock. In addition to being a breeder of hogs and cattle Mr. Graner breeds standard Percheron horses of the imported strain sired by "Brilliant," of which he has usually from twenty-five to thirty head of fine stock on the place.
788
HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY
Henry C. Graner was born April 19, 1871, on the old Graner homestead in Lancaster township, on which he was reared to young manhood. When a small boy he attended school in the village of Lancaster, and after the school house was erected in the neighborhood he went to the district school. He was one of the first students to enter Midland College in Atchison and there completed his education. He remained on the home farm until 1901 and then bought the farm which he now owns, first consisting of 160 acres, to which he afterwards added an eighty. He later invested in another quarter sec- tion which he uses for pasture.
He was married June 6, 1901, to Miss Mary K. Meck, who has borne him five children, as follows: Lillian, born October 1I, 1902; Matilda, born April 21. 1004: Louise. horn June 1, 1907: Henrietta, born March 11, 1010, and Frederick, born April 8, 1913. The mother of these children was born in Center township August 31, 1874, a daughter of Fred Meck, now living on a farm in Center township, Atchison county. Mrs. Graner is a capable woman, a devoted wife and mother, and the Graner home is a very happy one at all times.
Mr. Graner is a Democrat in politics, but has little time to devote to the political game other than to vote for his favorite candidates at election time. He and Mrs. Graner are members of the Lancaster Presbyterian church, of which institution Mr. Graner is a trustee. He is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is also a member of the Standard Bred Poland China Record Association, and the Percheron Society of America. Mr. Graner's success has been mainly due to hard work, close application to his affairs and keen financial judgment.
RICHARD E. KING.
Richard E. King, farmer of Oak Mills, Walnut township, Atchison county, was born in this county, January II. 1876. He was a son of Richard M. King. pioneer, farmer, merchant and early-day freighter, who was born in Smith county, Tennessee, January 23, 1837. Richard M. was a son of Abra- ham and Mahaley ( James) King, natives of Virginia, who came to Tennessee in 1833. They migrated from Tennessee to Buchanan county, Missouri, in 1851, and one year later moved to a farm in Platte county, Missouri, where Abraham King and his wife eventually died. Richard M. King crossed the plains with a freighting outfit which started from Ft. Leavenworth en route to Ft. Laramie in Wyoming, and met with considerable adventure on the long
789
HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY
trip, which consumed ninety days going and returning. The Indians molested them frequently, and one time a mischievous band stole all the tongue pins from their wagons. Another time, when they were in camp, a band of hun- dreds of Pawnees swarmed around the train and tried to intimidate the men. One big Pawnee buck, uttering a loud "woof." stuck a spear in Mr. King's stomach. On account of the Indian force being of superior number to the whites, they did not dare take offense at anything they did, or seem offended at any of their pranks for fear of massacre. Richard M. King followed freighting four years and made his last trip to the far West in 1862, from Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., to Ft. Union, N. M. He came back from this trip, and with his savings bought a tract of land on the Missouri river in Walnut town- ship. Unhappily, this land was eventually cut off from the mainland by the freakish Missouri, when it once more changed its course, and, although the deed to the land is still held by Richard M. King the muddy waters of the Missouri flow over it. In 1866 he bought forty acres of land in the hills, back from the river. He was married November 22, 1863, to Mary Frances Hottle, a daughter of David and Frances (Creal) Hottle, both of whom were natives of Brook county, Virginia. They too, came to Kansas in the early days, and settled in Leavenworth county, in 1855. David Hottle was a butcher by trade and bought and killed the first beef ever slaughtered in the historic town of Kickapoo. Leavenworth county. Kickapoo was a hotbed of the pro-slavery element in those days and woe betide the man who opposed their wishes. Two children were born to Richard M. King and wife : Lucy Ann, born August 27, 1864, deceased wife of Thomas Reagan, a passenger conductor on the Missouri Pacific railway. To Mr. and Mrs. Reagan were born two children, Thomas D., born March 8. 1889. and John M., born August 7, 1905 : Richard E., the subject of this review.
Richard E. King grew to manhood on the home farm and was educated in the common schools of his native county and the high school at Kansas City, Kan. He was married in 1895 to Mary Sacks, a daughter of Henry Sacks, of Atchison county. She died in 1898. and after her death, Mr. King went to Kansas City, Kan., to reside and was there engaged in various pursuits. He married Miss Sue Allen in Kansas City, Kan., January 16, 1900. Mrs. King is a daughter of James T. and Jane ( McCampbell ) Allen, both natives of Woodford county, Kentucky, whose people removed from the ancestral home of the family in Virginia to Kentucky. The old Allen home- stead built of natural stone is still standing in the latter State, a picturesque and beautiful reminder of ante-bellum days. In 1885 James T. Allen and family left Kentucky and went to Cass county, Missouri, where they resided
790
HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY
on a farm until 1903, and then removed to Harrisonville, Mo., where they now live. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Richard E. King, Rich- ard Allen King, born July 12, 1903, a bright and intelligent boy and is an ex- cellent student in school.
The King home, situated on a bluff overlooking the reaches of the old Missouri river, is noted for its hospitality and good cheer. Their home has been named "Che-me-o-kah," a Kaw Indian term, meaning "Lodge of the Rising Sun," or "Sunrise Cottage." The Kaw Indians had a village on this farm in ancient times. Mr. and Mrs. King are a fine young couple who are highly esteemed by all who know them. Mrs. Richard M. King has one of the most remarkable collections of family heirlooms in Kansas.
JOHN MOECK.
John Moeck, farmer, of Center township, Atchison county, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, March 17, 1869. He is a son of Henry and Eva (Heinz) Moeck, who were the parents of the following children : Mrs. Kath- rine Younger, living near Potter, Kan .; Anna, deceased; Henry, farmer, Ger- many; John, subject of this sketch; Karl, Osborne county, Kansas; Regina, Atchison, Kan. ; and George, deceased. 'The father was born April 3. 1839, in Germany, where he spent his life. He was a son of Henry Moeck, also a native of Germany. His wife, Eva, was born December 1, 1841. She is a native of Germany, and is now living on a farm in that country. John Moeck, the subject of this sketch, attended the schools in Germany, and in 1883 immigrated to the United States, settling in Atchison county, Kansas, where he worked on a farm for his board and clothing. He attended the district schools of Center township until he was twenty-one years old. During this time he was living with his uncle, Fred Moeck, and the following five years he worked as a farm hand. He was then married, and settled down on the farm which he now owns. He rented it for a time, until he was able to accumulate enough to buy it. He bought the place in 1898, and has owned it since that time. The farm consists of 145 acres of fine land, which the owner has improved extensively. Two acres of the place is planted with fine fruit-bearing trees. Mr. Moeck keeps high grade stock on his farm.
The career of Mr. Moeck shows what one can do by hard work. When he arrived in Atchison county he had only four dollars, and every cent that he now owns has been earned by hard work since he came to Atchison county.
HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY
Mr. Moeck is a self-made man, who has won a desirable place for himself in his community. That his fellow citizens hold him in high regard, 1- shown by the fact that they elected him to the office of township treasurer for two terms. He has been road overseer, and is now a member of the school board.
In 1895 Mr. Moeck married Kathrine Ziegler, who was born April 5, 1875. She is a native of Germany, and the daughter of George and Agnes (Frommer) Ziegler. When a child five years old Mrs. Moeck came to America with her parents, who settled in Center township, Atchison county. Mr. and Mrs. Moeck have four children : Eva, Louise, Frieda, and Walter, living at home. Mr. Moeck is a Republican. He is an elder in the German Lutheran church. In reviewing his life, it is only fair to say that he is one of those self-made citizens who form the solid foundation of our democracy. By his own efforts he has climbed to the top, and has shown by his life what the man who will try can accomplish.
JOHN O. A. MILLER.
John O. A. Miller, farmer and stockman, of Kapioma township. Atchi- son county, was born January 1, 1872, in Kapioma township. He is a son of James and Eliza (Russell) Miller, who were the parents of eight children, one of whom is dead. The father, James Miller, was born in Clay county, Mis- souri, August 3. 1831, and was a son of Moses Miller, a native of Kentucky. James Miller grew up on his father's farm and at the age of eighteen crossed the wild western plains to New Mexico, working for the Government. He found a few years of the strenuous life enough and settled down to farming in Atchison county in 1854. He bought 160 acres of land from a land com- pany. The farm was composed of good bottom land and he made extensive improvements on the profitable returns which his large crops brought. He was a large breeder of cattle, especially Shorthorns, and his judgment on cattle was regarded as authoritative. He was known throughout that part of the country as the "cattle king." He farmed 700 acres until his death. Dur- ing his life time he held a number of township offices. His successful career ended September 12, 1913, with his death at Muscotah, Kan. His wife, who was a native of Iowa, died in 1879.
John Miller grew up on his father's farm. He attended the Atchison County High School at Effingham, Kan., and after working a short time he went to the State Normal School at Emporia, Kan. To earn his way
792
HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY
through college he worked as a farm hand until he had saved enough money to carry him through school. After leaving the State Normal School he rented the farm which he now owns, and in 1912 bought it. The place con- sists of 160 acres. In 1914 he built a fine barn, which is one of the best in the State for its size. It is 40x52 feet and has a smaller wing, 26x14 feet, with a capacity of seventy-five tons of hay. It is strongly constructed and is a model barn. Mr. Miller maintains that stock as fine as his ought to have a good barn in which to live. He makes a specialty of Percheron horses and Chester White hogs. He is also a breeder of Shorthorn cattle and has maintained the same strain which his father kept. In addition to his activities in the rural life of his neighborhood Mr. Miller is active in the busi- ness affairs of Muscotah. He is a director and stockholder in the State Bank at Muscotah, Kan., and has an interest in the Farmers' Grain and Elevator Supply Company and the Mutual Telephone Company.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.