USA > Kansas > Leavenworth County > History of Leavenworth County Kansas > Part 36
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April 4, 1889, Mr. Cheatwood was married at Fairmont, Kansas, to Zella Diefendorf, a daughter of Elisha and Augusta Diefendorf. Her father was an early pioneer of Leavenworth, and later moved to Fair- mont about the year 1880, where he died, and is buried at Mt. Muncie. Mrs. Diefendorf is now living in Leavenworth, Kansas. Mrs. Cheatwood was born in Ohio and came with her parents when an infant, about the year 1867, and was reared in Leavenworth, attending the schools there.
Mr. and Mrs. Cheatwood have a daughter, Nina, the wife of William Meyer, who is a farmer of Delaware Township, and Mr. and Mrs. Meyer have a daughter, Mildred.
Mr. Cheatwood is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America of Fairmont.
Maurice W. Hiatt, a wide-awake and prosperous farmer and stockman of Delaware Township, was born in Noblesville, Indiana, December 12, 1869, the son of Alfred and Sarah (Bostwick) Hiatt; his father was born on the same farm, and came to Kansas in 1871 and homesteaded land in Butler County. He died near Elbing Station in 1880 at the age of thirty- seven years. His wife was a native of Syracuse, New York, and now lives in Jewell County, Kansas. Alfred Hiatt was a Quaker. He and his wife were the parents of the following children: Maurice W., of this sketch; Burton, who died at the age of seventeen years; and Alice, the wife of Jasper Wilson, and lives at Guide Rock, Nebraska.
Maurice W. Hiatt was educated in the public schools and high school of Jewell County, and was in the cattle business there, after he finished school, until he came to Leavenworth County in 1893. He bought his present farm of 400 acres in 1912, which was formerly owned by the A. G. Cogswell estate.
Mr. Hiatt has remodeled the residence, and has built a big barn, horse barn, and other buildings, thoroughly equipping the place for stock raising, and the buildings and yards are all planned with that end in view. He has twenty-five acres in alfalfa. Mr. Hiatt is a very successful stock
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breeder, and has the registered Aberdeen Angus cattle, registered Poland China hogs, also the registered Duroc Jersey hogs, and raises the pure- bred White Rock chickens. He sells his stock at private sales, and can not supply the demands. He has from thirty-five to forty head of cattle, and feeds a car load of hogs every year. The farm is well watered with springs and wells.
Mr. Hiatt's present wife was Lila Royer of Jewell County, Kansas, a native of this state, and daughter of Benjamin Royer and wife. The former came from Pennsylvania, and was engaged in the elevator busi- ness at Burr Oak, Kansas, for a number of years.
By a former marriage to Maude English, deceased, Mr. Hiatt has two children: Wesley, of Leavenworth, Kansas; and Almond B., who was born in 1896 and educated in the Lansing grade and high schools. Dur- ing the World War, he enlisted April, 1917, and was sent to the Great Lakes Training Camp for ten days, then entered as a stocker on the U. S. Connecticut, and transferred to Pocahontas, and, while in service, made twenty round trips across the ocean. He was an engineer's mate, and had charge of the men in the engine room. He was in service for nearly three years.
Mr. Hiatt is a member of the Federation of Farm Bureaus and holds membership in the following lodges: Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; Modern Woodmen of America; Knights Templar, and Mystic Shrine. He is also a director of the Lansing State Bank, and is one of the most substantial and well-known citizens of the township.
J. W. Kemler, a hustling and progressive citizen of Basehor, Kansas, is proprietor of a garage and auto storage here. He was born in Wash- ington County, Iowa, October, 18, 1870, the son of John and Magdalena (Mann) Kemler; his mother lives in Basehor, and is now eighty-four years of age. She was born in Germany and came to America with her parents, when she was six years old. John Kemler was also a native of Germany. He and his wife were married in Iowa and came to Kansas in 1876, settling one mile south of Basehor. He died in 1882 at the age of fifty years, and is buried at Glenwood Cemetery. Mrs. Kemler still owns the old home place. They were the parents of the following children: J. W., of this sketch; John of Basehor; Mrs. Lena Lewis, of Basehor; Mrs. Mary Weld -. grubi, deceased; Christ and Elmer, of Basehor.
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J. W. Kemler was educated in the Glenwood schools, and after finish- ing his education was engaged in the mercantile business at Basehor for ten years, and for five years was employed by the telephone company. He started his present business in 1915, and in 1917 built a two-story concrete building, fifty by one hundred feet, and this building will accom- modate storage for fifty cars. Mr. Kemler does general auto repairing, employing five men, and he also carries a line of repairs and accessories and has the agency for Ford cars and Fordson tractors, having sold more than three hundred cars and tractors. He has been very successful in his present business, and has also found time to be of service to his township, having filled the office of clerk and treasurer for at least fifteen years. He is at present clerk of the township.
March 14, 1894, Mr. Kemler was married to Deborah Stone, a daughter of Chris and Sarah Stone; Mrs. Stone lives with her daughter and Chris Stone died about fifteen years ago.
Mr. and Mrs. Kemler have five children: Mrs. Maude Wiles, who died at the age of twenty-five years, and left a daughter Betty Ruth; Floyd, who died at the age of two years; Pauline, the wife of Clair Dunbar; they have two children-Paul and Helen Lucille; Helen, who lives at home, and Lucille, who died at the age of one year.
Mr. Kemler is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at Basehor, and of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons at Piper, Kansas. He is a substantial citizen and has many friends throughout the township.
Anton Nirschl, proprietor of the Tonganoxie Billiard Hall, is a native of Bavaria, Germany. He was born July 2, 1869, the son of Anton and Anna (Turner) Nirschl.
Anton Nirschl, senior, was born in June, 1830 in Bavaria, Germany and Anna (Turner) Nirschl was born December 24, 1828, in the same country. They were married in their native land, where Anton, Jr., and his twin brother, Joseph, now deceased, were born. In 1883, Anton, Sr., and Anna (Turner) Nirschl left their native land and homesteaded land near Yorkton, South Dakota. They were pioneers in the state of South Dakota and for many years labored on the farm. Anton Nirschl died January 22, 1904, and his wife died October 28, 1888. They were both buried near their adopted home.
Anton Nirschl, Jr., attended the schools of his native land and after
WILLIAM, JOHN AND CARL H. NIRSCHL.
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settling in South Dakota attended the rural schools. He remained with his father on the farm until the latter's death, when he left and started life for himself. He came to Leavenworth County, Kansas in 1909 and purchased the old Chief Tonganoxie farm of seventy-one acres. He re- mained here until 1914, when he opened up his billiard hall in Tonganoxie.
Anton Nirschl and Emily Sitter were married April 24, 1889 in Ar- mour, Douglas County, South Dakota. She is a daughter of Ignaty and Anna (Koshka) Sitter, natives of Bavaria, Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Anton Nirschl are the parents of eight children, as follows: Frank Joseph, born July 21, 1890, married Clara Huffman; Anton and Joseph, twins, born March 24, 1892, now deceased; Carroll Herman, born October 4, 1893, married Molly Mallnofer. He enlisted in the Engineers Corps at Kansas City, Missouri during the World War and was sent to Camp Brownsville, and later he was sent to England, but was sent from there back to the United States, not seeing any service in France ; John, born April 12, 1896, served in Company F, Three Hundred and Thirteenth Ammunition Train of the Eighty-eighth Division. He saw service in France; William H., born June 12, 1898, and was the first one of the family to enlist during the World War; Mary, born February 19, 1900, at home; and George Henry, born November 19, 1903, a student in the high school.
Mr. and Mrs. Nirschl are members of the Catholic Church and Mr. Nirschl is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Woodmen of the World.
William Nirschl enlisted at Jefferson Barracks, April 20, 1917, in the Thirty-fifth Infantry and was sent to a training camp in Arizona, and from there to Camp Travis, Texas, and then to Camp Lewis, Washington, from which camp he was discharged March 31, 1920.
John Joseph Nirschl was drafted and sent to Camp Funston May 27, 1918, then sent to Camp Dodge, Iowa, where he was assigned to Company F, Three Hundred and Thirteenth Ammunition Train of the Eighty-eighth Division. August 10, 1918 he was sent to Camp Mills and August 17, 1918 left for overseas, landing at Liverpool, England August 30, 1918. From Liverpool they were shipped to South Hampton, then by ship to LeHavre, France, then stopped at places such as Harricourt, Belfast and finally St. Nazarre, France. From this latter place they left May 20, 1919 for home and landed at Thirty-third Street, New York, May 29, 1919. They were sent to Camp Mills, then to Camp Funston, where they were discharged June 12, 1919.
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HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
William J. Stephenson, a leading educator of the county and super- intendent of Basehor High School, was born at Basehor, Kansas, October 7, 1895, the son of Charles and Clara (Struebelt) Stephenson, both resi- dents here.
William Stephenson spent his boyhood in Basehor, attending school there, and was graduated from the high school in 1913. In 1917, he was graduated from Park College at Parkville, Missouri, and one month after graduation, he enlisted on July 30, 1917, at Leavenworth, Kansas, to serve during the World War. He was sent to Jefferson Barracks and then to Camp Robinson, Wisconsin, with the heavy field artillery, and in Decem- ber, 1917, was sent overseas with the Second Division and was stationed at Camp Valdahon for special training. He went into the trenches March 14, 1918, in the Troyon sector near Verdun, and was there until July 7, 1918, when he was shifted to Chateau Thierry, where he remained until the offensive took place, and was then sent to Soissons. He fought there, and was then sent to St. Mihiel and then dropped back for a short rest at Marbache. He then engaged in the Aisne offensive at Argonne Meuse in the Champaign sector, and from there went to Argonne Forest offen- sive, where he remained until the armistice was signed November 11, 1918. He then marched into Germany and was on march until December 16, 1918, and was stationed one week at Bendorf, Germany, and then sent to Fortress Ehrenbreitstien on the Rhine, where he remained until July, 1919, returning to the United States, August 14, 1919, and was mustered out at Camp Dodge, Iowa, after service of two years and one month. He was made corporal at Camp Robinson, Wisconsin, and promoted to sergeant at Troyon sector, Verdun. During the entire service, he had charge of the communication of the battery, and has a Croix De Guerre which he received on the Champaign front for distinguished service at Mont Blanc, France. He also has three certificates of citations for bravery in action.
Professor Stephenson taught his first school at Easton, Kansas, and accepted his present position which he very capably fills in September, 1920.
The Basehor High School is a two-story frame building, and besides Professor Stephenson, five teachers are engaged. There are about one hundred pupils, twenty-five in the high school and twenty-six in the junior high, and this is an accredited high school, of which there are but six in the county.
Professor Stephenson is a member of the Second Division Association of New York.
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HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
Martin Ehart, a capable and successful grocer located at 433 North Tenth Street, Leavenworth, is a native of Kuhr Hessen, Germany. He was born February 28, 1854, the son of Henry and Christine (Damm) Ehart, a sketch of whom appears in this volume with Adam Ehart's sketch.
Martin Ehart remained in his native land and attended the schools of Kuhr Hessen, Germany, until 1871, when he joined his elder brothers in London, England. While there he was employed in a bakery shop. In 1872, in company with his brothers, he left London, England, and estab- lished his residence at Leavenworth, Kansas.
Mr. Ehart was first employed in a bakery by Peter Short, at the corner of Fourth and Miami streets. From the years 1873 to 1875 he was employed as a clerk in his brother, Christ Ehart's, store. April 15, 1876, he went to the Black Hills, remaining for a short time, and upon his return to Leavenworth was engaged in teaming. November 25, 1880, Mr. Ehart opened up his first grocery business, located at 433 North Tenth Street, in a two-story building. In this building he conducted his busi- ness until in 1890 it was replaced by a two-story brick building, costing $3,500 at that time. For thirty years Mr. Ehart has conducted a clean, up-to-date grocery business, winning the patronage of a growing trade through his handling of honest, high class goods.
Martin Ehart and Mary Goergen were married December 26, 1875. She was born July 9, 1860, and died November 7, 1913, in Leavenworth, Kansas. They had two children, as follows: Henry, born June 21, 1878, residing at Leavenworth, and Mary, born September 13, 1879, living at Clay Center, Kansas.
Martin Ehart is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Turners. He is a member of St. John's Church and independent in his politics. Mr. Ehart is a public spirited and progressive citizen. He served six years, from 1902 to 1908, as coun- cilman of Leavenworth, Kansas.
Adam Ehart, a native of Germany and a retired farmer and business man, is one of the substantial pioneer citizens of Leavenworth. Adam Ehart was born in Kuhr Hessen, Germany, September 28, 1848, the son of Henry and Christina (Damm) Ehart, both natives of Kuhr Hessen, Germany. The former was born September 27, 1817, and the latter Octo- ber 18, 1815. They were farmers and shepherds in their native land.
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Henry Ehart spent all but the last few years in his native land. His wife, Christina (Damm) Ehart, died at Kuhr Hessen, Germany, in 1883, and after her death Henry Ehart joined his children at Leavenworth, Kansas. He passed away April 18, 1888.
Henry and Christina Ehart were married in Kuhr Hessen, Germany, in 1835 and fourteen children were born to them, as follows: Elsie, wife of John Yhrig, born September 22, 1836, lives at Springfield, Ohio; Chris- topher, born June 15, 1838, died February 10, 1910; Henry, born April 15, 1841, died in Leavenworth County, Kansas; Elizabeth, died in infancy ; Mary, Mrs. John Werner, was born January 17, 1843, died May 8, 1919; John Henry, born January 3, 1845, died November 18, 1895; Anna Eliza- beth, wife of William Wendel, born October 9, 1847, resides at Milwood, Leavenworth County, Kansas; Adam, the subject of this sketch; Chris- tina, born in 1850, died in infancy; Fred, born 1852, died in infancy; Martin, born February 28, 1854; Martha, wife of Dr. Gortney, born April 12, 1856, died 1908 ; infant, deceased; and Anna Catherine, wife of Herman Kneckler, born October 20, 1858, resides in Leavenworth, Kansas.
Adam Ehart spent his early childhood and manhood years in Kuhr Hessen, Germany. He attended the schools of his native land. On Sep- tember 29, 1866, he went to London, England, and he remained there for six years, working in the Wolgmuth Sugar Factory until 1872, when he with his brother, Martin D., and sister, Martha, embarked for the United States and located in Leavenworth County, Kansas. Adam Ehart rented 160 acres of land near Milwood, Kansas, and farmed this until March 10, 1876, when he came to Leavenworth and opened up a grocery business at the corner of Seventh and Kiowa streets. This business he successfully conducted for many years, keeping abreast of the times and handling the very best of groceries. March 10, 1901, Adam Ehart disposed of his grocery business and purchased 510 acres of land in Leavenworth County. He farmed this land and made it his home until May 14, 1918, when the land was divided among his children and he retired to spend his remain- ing days at Leavenworth.
In London, England, October 29, 1870, Adam Ehart married Anna Elizabeth Orth. She is a native of Kuhr Hessen, Germany, where she was born January 24, 1850. To Mr. and Mrs. Ehart have been born five children, as follows: Christopher, born May 5, 1872 in London, England; Henry, born November 7, 1873, resides in Leavenworth; Mary, born Au- gust 15, 1876, Leavenworth; Adam, Jr., born July 18, 1880; and Anna
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HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
Elizabeth, wife of Leo Banks, born January 21, 1884, lives at Leavenworth.
Mr. Ehart is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Sons of Veterans and the Foresters. He is independent in politics.
Mr. and Mrs. Ehart have eight grandchildren, as follows: George, born January 19, 1895. He was inducted into the World War and served in the 89th Division Machine Gun. He was in the front line trenches when the armistice was signed. He returned to Leavenworth in June, 1919. The other grandchildren are: Clara, wife of Fred Alcessar, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Martin, Leavenworth County; Rosa, Leavenworth County; Elizabeth, Leavenworth; Frank, Leavenworth, and Walter and Orth Banks.
William J. Domann, a successful farmer and stockman of Kickapoo Township, and owner of 160 acres of land four miles northwest of Leaven- worth, was born in Jefferson County, Kansas, March 20, 1868, the son of William and Charlotte (Noll) Domann, who were the parents of twelve children, all of whom live in Jefferson County, except William J. Domann and a brother who is a priest. All of the children are living-ten boys and two girls. The father was born in Westphalia, Germany, November, 1843, and came to America when about eighteen or nineteen years of age, and settled in Kansas, where he worked as a farm hand cutting corn for $7.00 per month. He became homesick to go back to Europe, but in those days never got enough money saved to make the trip, so remained here. He also worked for the August Wulfekuhler Wholesale Grocery Com- pany, feeding their mules for them and driving a delivery wagon. He then worked at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, for the government, freight- ing to western Colorado and to the Black Hills. During the Civil War he drove an ambulance and bomb shell wagon. After the war he married and moved to the old Scott farm in Jefferson County, and later bought eighty acres of land, which is now the old homestead. He now owns 2,000 acres, all choice farms in Jefferson County. He is now living a retired and pleasant life. He is a shareholder of several banks at the following towns in Kansas: Winchester, Nortonville, Potter and Salina. He and his wife, who was born in Hessen, Germany, in 1849 and came to this country when a child, are both members of the Catholic Church, and they, together with their sons, contributed $15,000 to the church building.
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HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
William J. Domann was reared on his father's farm and attended school, but was handicapped in getting an education by having to work hard. He began for himself when 21 years of age and worked for his father for one year for $500.00, board, room and clothes. The second year his father gave him a team and all necessary implements with which to farm, and he farmed the home place. His proceeds for two cars of corn that year were two twenty dollar gold pieces, corn having sold at that time for thirteen cents per bushel. This was the first gold he ever owned, and he carried one twenty in each pocket and the other in his other pocket. The same spring he sold the rest of his corn for sixty cents per bushel. He made good from the start and bought his first farm near Nortonville, Kansas, consisting of 160 acres, which he improved, building new fences, new barn and remodeling the house. He lived there for ten years, until 1900, when he sold out and bought his present farm of 160 acres, for which he paid $10,000. He built and stuccoed the house on this place, erected a barn, and refenced the farm and made other nice im- provements. The place was run down at the time he purchased it, but it now presents a fine appearance due to the energy and industry displayed by Mr. Domann.
Mr. Domann was married August 30, 1892, to Frances Didde, who was born in Jefferson County, Kansas, November 27, 1871, the daughter of Joseph and Gertrude (Riepenkroger) Didde, natives of Germany, and who are now deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Domann have had twelve children, as follows: William J., a graduate of Leavenworth High School, and who is a clerk in the postoffice at Fort Leavenworth; Agnes, a graduate of the high school at Leavenworth, and who is a teacher in Salt Creek Valley; Angela, a grad- uate of the high school, who lives at home; Frances, a graduate of the high school, and who now lives at home, but last year did 'stenographic work at the Army Service School; Aloysius, a student in St. Benedict College at Atchison, Kansas; Clara and Margaret, students in high school; Edith, Marie, Gertrude, Scholistica and Anthony, all at home with their parents.
Mr. Domann votes the Independent ticket. He is now a member of the school board of district number three; member of the Catholic Church, and of the Moose Lodge, and is a shareholder in the State Savings Bank at Leavenworth, of which bank he was a director for seven years. He and his family are substantial citizens of the township.
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HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
J. F. Mottin, a well known farmer of Kickapoo Township, was born in this township September 2, 1869, the son of Leger Nichols and Mary Jane (Daslam) Mottin, who were the parents of eleven children, six boys and five girls, J. F. being the fifth child. Two of the boys died in infancy and one of the daughters is dead.
Leger Nichols Mottin was a native of Lorraine, France, born Decem- ber 19, 1826. He left his native land in 1845 and settled near St. Louis, Missouri, coming to Kansas in 1868 and purchasing 280 acres of land in Kickapoo Township, where he farmed until his death, December 25, 1903. His wife was born in Illinois, near St. Louis, Missouri, January 4, 1839. She died in April, 1917, and she and her husband are both buried in St. Joseph Cemetery at Mount Olivet.
J. F. Mottin has always been a farmer. He was educated in district school number four, and in early life began working for himself, remain- ing at home until he married. He bought his first farm in Kickapoo Township, which he sold, and later bought another and sold that, buying his present farm of sixty-six acres in 1913. Thirty acres of this piece of ground is productive. Mr. Mottin does general farming and is ener- getic and industrious.
Mr. Mottin has been married twice, the first time in 1901 to Minnie Cotter. She died in May, 1903, and Mr. Mottin was married the second time October 22, 1912, to Mamie Vogler, who was born in Leavenworth, Kansas. No children were born to either union.
Mr. Mottin is a member of the Catholic Church and is a Democrat in politics.
Arthur St. Leger Mosse, a farmer and stockman of Kickapoo Town- ship, well known throughout the State as an extensive breeder of pure bred Chester White hogs, was born in County Cork, Ireland, March 29, 1873, the son of Arthur W. and Sophia (Palmer) Mosse, and is the young- est of five children. Arthur Mosse was a farmer in Ireland and died in Arkansas City, Kansas, in 1891 at the age of fifty-six years, and his mother died in 1900 at the age of sixty-five.
Arthur St. Leger Mosse received his education in the Arkansas City, Kansas, grade and high schools, and was graduated from the Kansas Uni- versity in 1898. For seven years after his graduation he was coach for the Kansas University football team and was coach for the University
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HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
of Western Pennsylvania at Pittsburgh for four years. In 1900 he began farming and in 1902 moved to his present farm of 160 acres, which he owns. He specializes in the breeding of pure bred Chester White hogs, his farm being thoroughly equipped with modern buildings for this pur- suit. In 1920 Mr. Mosse exhibited his hogs at twelve state fairs, and these exhibits have made him widely known throughout the country. He is a member and director of Pure Bred Live Stock Association of Kansas, and takes a great interest in the promotion of pure bred stock. His success is placing him in the front rank in this field of endeavor.
December 28, 1898, Mr. Mosse was married to Ruth Grover, who was born on their present farm in 1877. She is the daughter of Charles H. and Sarah (Hanthorn) Grover, both deceased. Charles H. Grover was a prominent politician of Kansas in the early days. He lived in Leaven- worth most of his life, where he practiced law. On August 27, 1855, he was appointed district attorney of the territory of Kansas. Mr. Grover pre-empted the farm on which Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Mosse now live, and Mrs. Mosse has the land patent signed by President Buchanan in 1859 for the present farm. Mr. Grover was the first county attorney of Leav- enworth County, Kansas, and served three terms in the Kansas Legis- lature.
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