USA > Kansas > Nemaha County > History of Nemaha County, Kansas > Part 41
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Van Buren Fisher was reared on the Indiana farm and had very few luxuries in his youth. Schools were a scarce institution, and his early education was obtained at a subscription school, the teacher of which "boarded round" among the pupils' families as a part of the recompense. The school which Mr. Fisher attended was located in LaGrange, Ind. He followed the peaceful life of the farmer boy until the outbreak of the rebellion, and he then enlisted for service in Company H, Forty-fourth Indiana infantry, and served until his discharge in 1863. He took part in the engagement resulting in the capture of Fort Donelson, and fought at the great battle of Shiloh and also at Corinth. His command was with General Buell on his famous march through Kentucky and Tennessee, and on the return trip Mr. Fisher was wounded in a fight at Murfreesboro or "Stone River." During this engagement a bullet hole was shot through his hat, a missile lodged in his left leg and he was laid up for repairs sixteen days in the field hospital. He was taken thence to Nashville, Tenn., and remained there for nine and one-half months, and was then honorably discharged at New Albany, Ind., in 1863, after a stay in Louisville, Ky. He returned home after his discharge and bought army horses for the Federal Government until the close of. the war.
When the war was over, Mr. Fisher married and began his farming career in Noble county, Indiana, where he remained until 1869. He migrated to Kansas during this year, driving a covered wagon or "prairie schooner," through from Indiana to Seneca, Kans., and accom- panied by his wife and little daughter. He rented a house in Seneca and then drove to Brownsville, Neb., for the purpose of buying household furniture and stocking up with provisions. On the return trip, he at- tempted to ford the Nemaha river at Baker's ford, nine miles north of Seneca, and lost his wagon and team on account of the depth of the water and the swiftness of the current and very nearly lost his own life by drowning, only a willow saved his life. He was enabled to grasp the willow and pull himself to safety as the remorseless stream was carrying him down to his death and a watery grave. Mr. Fisher was thankful to escape with his life, but the loss of his furniture and six months' sup- plies was a hard blow to the family. He obtained a job on a farm, six miles north of Seneca, which required that he walk the entire distance from his home before breakfast each morning and back again at night so that he could be near his family. His wages were $1 per day, but this wage seemed like riches to him at that time. In the spring of 1870, he began working on the construction of the St. Joseph and Grand Is- land railroad. During the winter he did hauling when the frozen ground
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did not permit construction work, and in this manner kept his family supplied with the necessaries of life. He hauled provisions from Marys- ville to Seneca, Kans. In the spring of 1871, he was far enough ahead of the game to begin renting land on his own account, and he farmed near Seneca until 1873, when he was enabled to buy eighty acres of land in Washington township, Nemaha county. He broke up the virgin prairie and placed modest improvements on the place. The grasshop- pers came along, however, about this time and cleaned out his crops, excepting a little wheat.
He sold out this farm in 1875, and rented land in the same neigh- borhood for three years, after which he moved to Seneca and operated a dray line for about three years. He again returned to the farm and rented a half section of land in Granada township for six years, and then bought eighty-six acres of land south of Seneca. He sold this tract in 1895 and was elected registrar of deeds of the county on the Republican ticket and held the office for two terms. After the expiration of his official service, Mr. Fisher bought his present farm of four acres ad- joining Seneca, in 1897.
Mr. Fisher was married September 20, 1865, in LaGrange county, Indiana, to Emeline Bowman, born at Mansfield, Ohio, February 19, 1842. This union has resulted in the birth of the following children : Jennie M., Kansas City, Mo .; Charles M., deceased ; Glenn, employed in the water service department of the Missouri Pacific railway at Goff, Kans. Mrs. Fisher is a daughter of Daniel and Kathrine (Krepps) Bowman, natives of Ohio, who removed to Indiana in the pioneer days of that State.
Mr. Fisher and his estimable helpmeet are members of the Methodist church, and for the past ten years Mr. Fisher has been a member of the Seneca School Board. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Karl W. Klose .- It is due to the inventive genius of Karl W. Klose that the Seneca Brick and Tile Manufacturing Company is a successful and going concern. Mr. Klose has made brick making a life study, and his entire time has been given to a working out of the most economical methods of manufacturing brick. His continuous kiln system of brick . firing, placed in operation in the Seneca plant, has attracted attention in all parts of the world, and is the last word in economy of operation, which has practically saved the plant and enabled its owners to keep it in operation.
Karl W. Klose, manager and superintendent of the Seneca Shale Brick and Tile Company's plant, was born at Zeiselwitz, Germany, Au- gust 17, 1874, and is a son of John and Francesca (Werner) Klose, who were the parents of eight children, as follows: John, a brick manufac- turer of Lincoln, Neb .; Robert, a brick manufacturer now living in Ger- many, and founded the immense brick works at Hastings, Neb. : Alois, owner of the Columbia Brick Works at Portland, Ore .; Karl W .. with
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whom this review is concerned; four sisters are married and live in Germany.
Karl W. Klose remained on his father's farm until ten years of age, and then studied engineering at Breslau, Germany, until i897, at which time he went to South America and was employed as a local engineer until 1903. He came to the United States in that year and settled at Lincoln, Neb., and worked at brick manufacturing in his brother's plant. He managed his brother John's plant until 1911, and he then came to Seneca and took charge of the Seneca Brick and Tile Company's yards. He is a stockholder of the company and has made a pronounced success of the undertaking.
Mr. Klose was married at Lincoln, Neb., in 1903, to Elfrieda Ty- chsen, who has borne him four children, as follows: Hilda, Theo, Walter and Ruth. The mother of these children was born January 17, 1883, at Lincoln, Neb., and is a daughter of Theodore and Hermine (Placidas) Tychsen, natives of Germany. Theodore Tychsen was en- gaged in the wholesale grocery business at Lincoln.
George Karns .- The life story of a self made man is always inter- esting from many standpoints to the reader of history, especially if he has been a Kansas pioneer such as the late George Karns, of Ontario, Kans. The recital of the struggle of the early Kansas pioneers is an inspiring story, and one which should be read by the rising generation with interest and with reverence for the memories of the noble men and women who came from Eastern homes and redeemed a wilderness after years of struggle and hardships. The late George Karns was one of those who left his imprint upon the annals of Nemaha and Jackson counties and made a name and fame for himself far beyond that of or- dinary men. He was industrious and saving and accumulated consid- erable property during his life time. He was a far-seeing business man, who assisted in organizing banks and held positions of trust with financial concerns in which he became interested. He was interested in every worthy enterprise which had for its object the advancement of the best interests of his home community. He was an ardent admirer of good live stock and was considered to have been one of the best judges of cattle and hogs within the county. He was an extensive feeder and breeder of live stock, and was very successful as a stockman. Mr. Karns carried forward his large business enterprises and added to his capital continually until his estate was one of the largest in the county, the work of carrying it forward being accomplished by his faithful wife after Mr. Karns' death. Added to the honors which this fine old pioneer accumulated during his life time of endeavor was the very great honor of having been a Union veteran.
Speaking biographically, George Karns was born at Cardington, Ohio, June 16, 1843, and departed this life at Ontario, Kans., May 30, 1908. His mother died when he was seven years old and his father died a year later. He was thrown upon his own resources and forced to earn his own living from the time he was thirteen years old. When the
Caroline Karns
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call came for troops with which to quell the rebellion of the Southern States, he was among the first to enlist in behalf of the Union. Mr. Karns enlisted in the Union army, June 16, 1861, in Company I, Third Ohio infantry, and served until his honorable discharge, June 21, 1864. He re-enlisted in September, 1864, in Merrill's Horse Brigade at St. Louis, and served until the close of the war. He came to Kansas as early as 1866, and located at America City. Eighteen months later, he located at Ontario, Kans., where he resided until his death. Much of Mr. Karns' farm land was located in Nemaha county, just over the Jack- son-Nemaha county line, and the old homestead, the Rosary Stock Farm, now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. M. G. Hamm, is located there. Mr. Karns became very wealthy as a farmer and stockman, and at the time of his death he owned 2,000 acres of land. His advice and counsel were not only sought in private affairs, but his co-operation was solicited in the promotion of all public measures, and he became a leader of his community. He owned a controlling interest in the Farmers State Bank of Circleville, Kans., and served as president of this bank for four years prior to his death. His usefulness as a citizen was generally recognized and appeals to his sympathy were never made in vain.
Mr. Karns was married January 23, 1868, to Miss Caroline Kehr- wecker, who bore him eleven children, as follows: Mary Frances, wife of Charles Hubbard, Kinsley, Kans., who died May 13, 1909, leaving two daughters and a son; John W., a successful farmer and stock raiser of Ontario; Anna B., wife of M. G. Hamm, residing in the old home of the Karns family; Albert C., Council Grove, Kans., farmer and stock raiser ; Maud M., now Mrs. William Fowler, of Ontario, Kans., whose husband is a successful farmer ; Sarah C., wife of William M. Myers, of Kansas City, Mo .; William E., Ontario, Kans., a farmer and stockman residing on a farm adjoining the old home place (see sketch) ; Elizabeth E., died at the age of two years ; Carrie, wife of Fred Pfrang, Bancroft, Kans .; a child died in infancy; James George, owner of the old home place, and resides with his sister, Anna, with the intention of becoming a farmer and stockman and follow in the footsteps of his father.
Mrs. Caroline (Kehrwecker) Karns was born near Cardington. Ohio, May 12, 1849, and at the age of nineteen years she became the wife of George Karns. Immediately after their marriage in Cardington, Ohio, the young couple started for their Kansas home at Ontario. She departed this life on February 1, 1916, sincerely mourned by all who knew her as a good and noble woman. Her life was that of a home maker. She loved the plants and flowers, vegetables, fruits and vines, and developed great skill in their culture. Few plants or flowers that would grow in this climate could be found that she did not under- stand and had grown in her home and garden. She grew flowers only to bestow them upon her friends and gladden the hearts of the sick or sorrowing. Her home was her fort and throne, from which she ordered well the forces at her command and ruled with love its inmates.
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Mr. Karns was a member of Soldier Lodge, No. 240, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. This well and favorably known pioneer couple filled well their place in their day and generation, and left behind them a large family and many friends who revere their memory.
M. Grant Hamm .- "The Rosary Stock Farm."-The Rosary Stock Farm, Ontario, Kans., now being operated by M. G. Hamm, and which was owned by the late George Karns, was first occupied by Jerome Wilson and his wife, Leah. They sold it to William Morris in the early eighties, and Morris sold the tract to F. C. Whipple in 1887. Mr. Whip- ple lived on the farm for five years and made some substantial improve- ments in the farm buildings and remodeled the house. In the fall of 1893, George Karns purchased it and moved his family from the old home place across the creek and made the place his home until his death in 1908. His widow and a son continued to occupy it until the death of Mrs. Karns in 1916. Five years before the death of Mrs. Karns she gave the farm to her oldest daughter, Anna B., and retained the use of the place for her home during her life time. It is now occupied by Anna B. and her husband, M. G. Hamm.
M. Grant Hamm, the present head of the Rosary Stock Farm, is a Kansas native son, born on a farm in Jackson county, west of Holton, February 15, 1864. His parents were the Rev. R. P. and Susan A. (Million) Hamm, natives of Fleming county, Kentucky, the former having been born November 27, 1831, and the latter, April 21, 1835. They were married August 31, 1854, and made their home at Chaney's Grove, Ill., until the spring of 1857. They then removed to Jackson county, Kansas, and settled on the farm they still own, which is located five miles west of Holton, Kans. Here they reared a family of six chil- dren, four daughters and two sons, all of whom are still living within the boundaries of their home county, and most of whom are successful farmers and farmers' wives. The only break in the family circle was caused by the death of the oldest daughter, who was accidentally burned so severely that she died when a child of three years. Rev. Hamm was one of the pioneer Methodist local preachers in Kansas, and was very successful in organizing classes, in burying the dead and uniting in mar- riage more people than any other minister or official within Jackson county. The time was when he knew every family within that county. and very many of Nemaha county families. He and his wife are still living and enjoying their rest in the eventide of their lives in a comfort- able home in Holton, after having spent fifty-nine consecutive years in . the same community. Rev. Hamm was rejected as a volunteer in the Union army during the Civil war on account of ill health, but served in the State militia and assisted in the repelling of General Price's in- vasion under General Curtis during the fall of 1864. Rev. Hamm has assisted in building nearly all of the churches and school enterprises of Jackson county, and has had an active and influential part in shaping the community life. He now rejoices in seeing the fruits of his toil and
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looks for progress to continue. His oldest son, born in the heat of the Civil war, was named for that great general whose skill saved the Union, Gen. U. S. Grant, but he chose a different calling from that of his father.
M. Grant Hamm spent his boyhood on the old home farm and at- tended the Banner district school. When seventeen years of age he en- tered Baker University, at Baldwin, Kans., and received further educa- tional training. In 1886, he met with an accident which caused him to change his plans from farm to city life, and he spent a year at the Business College and State University at Lawrence as a teacher of elocution and oratory. He then went to Kansas City, Mo., and was em- ployed as collector and manager for a large book concern .for a time. After his marriage with a childhood playmate in 1888, he removed with his wife to a home in Kansas City. In four short months after this happy marriage, his wife was burned to death as a result of an explosion of gasoline. This terrible calamity caused him to again change his plans and he began ministerial work in April of 1889, when he spent a year on the Manhattan circuit. The following year he was sent to Olesburg, Garrison and Fostoria, where he spent two useful years. While on this charge he was married to Nannie E. Barnhouse, of Hopedale, Ohio. In 1891, they moved to Vermillion, Kans., where Mr. Hamm spent three pleasant years as pastor. In March, 1895, Rev. Hamm and wife moved to Hanover, and remained six months and was transferred from there to the Nevada mission and placed at Austin, Nev., where they spent two happy and useful years. The altitude of this location was too great for them to endure in comfort, and they were compelled to seek a lower level on account of Mrs. Hamm's health. They removed to Winne- mucca, Nev., and. spent two tragic years as missionaries, during which time he buried 104 people, eighty-six of whom died unnatural deaths. So much tragedy broke Mrs. Hamm's nervous system, and they were com- pelled to return to Kansas because of her failing health. In September of 1899, they returned to Holton, and within a week Rev. Hamm was appointed pastor of the Oneida church, where they spent one and a half years very pleasantly engaged in building themselves into the com- munity life with which they mingled. In March, 1901, they removed to Dewey's Ranch, near Manhattan, Kans., and Mr. Hamm was manager of this ranch for three years, handling its large stock grazing and feed- ing enterprises on the 9,500 acres in his charge and caring for 3,000 cattle and from 400 to 500 horses and mules each year. In October of 1903, he severed his connection with the Dewey ranch on account of the Dewey-Berry tragedy in western Kansas, and became pastor of the Westmoreland, Kans., Methodist Episcopal Church. He continued in charge of this church until March, 1905, and November 8, 1904. he moved from Westmoreland to the old home place, inasmuch as his parents had moved to a home at Holton. Until March 1, 1916, he made his home on this farm and was very successful in breeding pure bred live stock and raising pure strains of grains. Mrs. Hamm died very suddenly on
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December 9, 1912, of apoplexy, leaving four children, as follows: Mer- rill, Golden, Geraldine and Ferry, to mourn the loss of a loving mother and her husband the loss of a true helpmate and companion. The three older children are now doing for themselves. Merrill is a traveling salesman in Texas. Golden, now Mrs. Robert Armstrong, occupies the old home place. Geraldine, now Mrs. Francis Whitcraft, resides on a farm in the western part of Jackson county. Ferry, the youngest, makes his home at Ontario. Mr. Hamm was married on July 22, 1914, to Miss Anna B. Karns, and they divided their time between the two homes during the life time of Mrs. Hamm's mother. Since they have taken up their residence at the Rosary Stock Farm, they have been equipping the place as a model stock farm and expect to continue to raise the good kind of stock that adds to the betterment of the farming interests of the community. The community extends to them a hearty welcome, and bespeaks for them a useful journey together. Mr. Hamm hopes to become a part of Nemaha county community life, as well as to continue the management of the Hamm's Pioneer Stock Farm near Hol- ton. May success crown his efforts.
Mr. Hamm has been president of the Jackson County Farmers' In- stitute during most of the twelve years he has been in charge of Hamm's pioneer and the Rosary Stock Farms, and was largely responsible for the organization of the present farmers' institute and stock show, which is one of the annual features of the county. He organized the Duroc Jersey Breeders Association of Kansas, and was its secretary-treasurer for two years. He assisted in organizing the Kansas Draft Horse Association and assisted in drafting the bill for the present stallion law. " He is a member and has served as president one year of the Improved Grain Breeders Association, and holds the State record on acre yield of wheat per acre. Mr. Hamm is a breeder of Percheron horses and has produced some show animals that have taken ribbons in the closest contests held at the State and county fairs. He breeds Scotch Top Shorthorns and is an accurate judge of individual merit, and has added many good herd headers to the breeds of Jackson and other counties. He is a member of the Old Settlers Association, and has been honored with the presi- dency of the association.
Aside from his farm activities and public duties, Mr. Hamm has had charge of a church nearly all the years of his residence at the old home. He is one of the few men who have been called to the pastorate of the home church in which he was reared, and has occupied this posi- tion for nearly five years of the ten years which he has lately spent at home, serving the Circleville, Bateman, Banner and Pea Ridge churches. For nearly two years he was pastor of the Ontario church, which stands on the farm he occupies. The Banner church stands on the old home place. For nearly two years he preached on the Pottawatomie Indian reservation with great acceptability and at his own option without remuneration.
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Edwin Buehler .- There are some who say that education is a waste of time, especially for a business man, but Edwin Buehler is not one of them. He has attended a number of higher educational institutions and finds that he is a much better business man than he would have other- wise been. Besides the practical utility of a college education, he finds the cultural value worth notice, and believes that his years in college were not wasted. Mr. Buehler has made a success in the clothing busi- ness and has amassed considerable property, and, therefore, is in a posi- tion to take the view he does.
Mr. Buehler was born July 3, 1875, in Rogersville, Ohio. His par- ents, John Rudolph and Elizabeth (Dietz) Buehler, had seven children. The father was born in Switzerland in 1829 and was a farmer the greater part of his life. However, in his earlier years, he was a stone mason, and for a time dealt in horses. He came to America when a young man and worked at various occupations. Thirty days after coming to Brown county, Kansas, he died ; this was in 1886. He was married twice, his first wife's maiden name being Krebs. To the second union these three children were born: Elmer, Brown county, Kansas; Edwin, of whom this sketch treats; Robert O., of the electric light plant, Hiawatha, Kans.
Edwin Buehler came to Brown county with his parents and grew up in that section. After completing preparatory work, he entered the State Agricultural College at Manhattan, Kans., where he spent one year. Later, he took a classical course at Hiawatha Academy and spent a year at the University of Kansas, at Lawrence. He was a good student and was active in student affairs while in school.
After leaving school, he began work as a clerk for the Graham Clothing Company, at Hiawatha, but in 1900, three years later, he re- signed and went to St. Joseph, Mo., and took employment with Rich- ardson-Roberts Dry Goods Company as traveling salesman for two years. He then came to Seneca and became manager of the Graham Clothing Company and built up a good business. In 1907, he bought out the business and has carried it on since with increased success each year. He now handles a $15,000 stock each year. He owns residences and town lots in Seneca, which are a testimonial to his business acumen.
He was married to Agnes L. Conwell on October 28, 1908, and two children have been born to them: John E. and Russell C., both living at home. Mrs. Buehler was born in Seneca, Kans., August 30, 1885, and is a daughter of Simon and Sarah (Butler) Conwell. The father was born in Ireland and practiced law in this county. Mrs. Buehler is a graduate of the Seneca High School.
Mr. Buehler is an independent Progressive in political matters and tries to decide each question on its merits solely. He is not a tool of any party machine and votes as he sees fit, regardless of the party affiliations of different candidates. He prides himself on being an in- telligent voter and his very independentce of party lines reveals this
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trait, for it takes thought to study the issues and select them on a basis of merit. Mr. Buehler belongs to the German Reformed Church, and is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and is a Royal Arch Mason, and served as district deputy of the First District, Royal Arch Masons, for two years; and is a member of the Knights Templar, serving for three years as eminent commander of Knights Templar Com- mandery, No. 41, of Seneca. For a period of two years, Mr. Buehler served as president of the Seneca Commercial Club, and filled the office of secretary of this organization for two successive terms.
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