USA > Kansas > Wyandotte County > History of Wyandotte County, Kansas, and its people, Vol. II > Part 33
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The early educational training of Isaac La Grange, subject of this review, was gained in the common schools of his native state, and he attended the same during the winter terms of three months. when his services were not in requisition in connection with the work of the home farm. As a youth he was apprenticed to the trade of carpenter and joiner, at Schenectady, New York, and in due course of time he became a skillful artisan. For several years after completing his apprentice- ship he traveled about in various parts of the country, working as a jour- neyman at his trade, and finally he located at Paris, the county seat of Edgar county. Illinois, where he engaged in contracting and building and where his marriage was solemnized. There he continued to main- tain his home for a period of eighteen years and he was one of the repre- sentative business men of the town, in which he had located in 1851. Impaired health finally led him to seek a change of climate and he came to Kansas in 1869. He was one of the early settlers of Paola, the judi- cial center of Miami county, where he erected the first hotel of appre- viable size and accommodations and also built for himself a comfortable
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dwelling. There he engaged in the buying and shipping of grain and he also was compelled to take into his possession a grocery store in con- nection with which he had loaned a considerable sum of money. He was the first to ship grain from Miami county to Kansas City, Missouri, and also to the city of St. Louis, and he was also the first to make direct shipments of grain from Kansas to Baltimore, Maryland. Ilis enter- prise and progressive methods brought him into prominence as one of the able and aggressive business men of the state and he was one of the most honored and influential citizens of Miami county. He was interested in various lines of business activity, and at Paola he erected a four mill, which he operated for seven years. Within the period of his activities there were three bank failures in his county, and he became associated with other leading citizens of Paola in organizing the Miami County State Bank, of which he became vice-president at the time of its incorporation. He held this office for twelve years. Of the thirty-two original stockholders of the institution only a few are now living, and of the first executive officers only Mr. La Grange and William Crowell, who was cashier, are now left.
In 1883, after having disposed of his various holdings in Miami county, Mr. La Grange removed to the old city of Wyandotte, where he engaged in the real-estate business. He did much to further the up- building of the present metropolis of Kansas City and the development of Wyandotte county, and he identified himself closely with civic affairs as well as those of more purely business order. He became one of the principal stockholders of the Wyandotte National Bank and was finally made president of the institution, to which he continued to give much of his time and attention until 1890, when he resigned his office and removed to Ogden, Utah, where he was engaged in the wholesale grocery business until 1895. He passed the following three years in Los Angeles, California, and then returned to Kansas City, where he has since lived virtually retired from active business and where he is held in unqualified esteem by all who know him. While he has always shown a loyal interest in public affairs, both general and local, he has not been imbued with office-seeking propensities. However, he served one term as a member of the city council of Paris. Illinois, and one term as county commissioner of Miami county, Kansas. Ile is a stanch advocate of the principles and policies of the Republican party and his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church, of which his wife also was a devoted member for many years prior to her death.
On the 18th of February, 1858, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. La Grange to Miss Sarah Ann Link, who was born and reared in Edgar county, Illinois, and who was a representative of one of the sterling pioneer families of that county. The great loss and bereave- ment in the life of Mr. La Grange came on the 17th of October, 1910, when his loved and devoted wife, who had been his companion and help- meet for more than half a century, was summoned to the life eternal, at the age of seventy-two years. Concerning the children of this union the following brief data are given: Mary is the wife of Frank W. Mitchell, of Kansas City, Missouri; Anna died at the age of thirty-seven years, and her husband, F. E. Williams, died in February, 1901, aged fifty-one years, leaving two children, named Martha and Ruth ; Nancy is the wife of Clement M. Staub, of Los Angeles, California ; Almira is
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the wife of Dr. O. C. Link, of that city ; and Susan is the wife of G. J. Rateliff. who is engaged in the banking business at Highland, Doniphan county, Kansas.
FRANCIS HAMILTON JENNINGS .- It is indeed appropriate that in this volume devoted to record of the lives and achievements of repre- sentative citizens of Wyandotte county, Kansas, should be incorporated a biography of that eminent citizen and business man, Francis Hamil- ton Jennings, head of the large concern known as F. H. Jennings & Son. Crusher & Quarry Company. As the organizer and proprietor of a large industry, Mr. Jennings furnishes employment to a large number of men and contributes in definite manner to the prosperity of the city. He was born in Zanesville, Ohio, September 22, 1852, and is the son of John W. and Mary E. (MeCowen) Jennings. The father, who was born in Buffalo Gap, Virginia, came to Ohio, previous to the Civil war and in the Buckeye state engaged in the practice of his profession which was that of a physician. From Ohio, he removed to Goshen. Indiana, then to New Paris. Indiana, and thence to Berrien Springs. Michigan. During the war, he assisted in the distribution of supplies to the soldiers of the Union army. He was a Republican and a Methodist and a man of high principles and good repute. His wife was born in Norwich. Ohio. Their seven sons and daughters were as follows: Mattie E., Nettie, John Edward, Charles W .. Carolina .J .. Hattie E. and Francis Hamilton.
He whose name inaugurates this review was reared at Berrien Springs, Michigan, in which place he attended the common sehools. At the age of twenty-two years he went to Warsaw. Indiana, and there assumed the position of a licensed engineer in a saw mill. In 1887. Mr. Jennings who had married, brought his family to Lansing. Kan- sas, and after residing in that place for a time. they took up their residence in Kansas City, Missouri. At this time the subject was acting as a steam boat engineer in one of the big boats plying the Missonri river. In 1906. he made a radical change of occupation and organ- ized the F. H. Jennings & Son Crusher & Quarry Company, which plant today supplies the greater portion of crushed roek used in both Kansas City. Missouri and Kansas City, Kansas. They employ thirty teams and use the largest steam drill in the state of Kansas. Frequently as meh as thirty kegs of powder are employed at one blast. Mr. Jen-
nings has himself to thank for his success, for he belongs unmistakably to the type of self made man of which America is so proud. His origi- nal ideas and executive capacity are underlaid with a native industry and thrift. In his political convictions he is a Republican and he gives to all publie issues the careful consideration of the intelligent voter.
On the 13th day of February. 1875. while living in Warsaw. Indi- ana. Mr. Jennings laid the foundation of a happy household by mar- riage, his chosen lady being Miss Jennie Mitterling, whose parents still reside in that place. Their union was blessed by the birth of two children. John Edward, who is in business with his father: and Eliza- beth, who died at the age of fourteen years. This son and partner John Edward. is manager of the quarry laborers and is of the greatest assistance to his father, being the possessor of rare business qualifica- tions. The Jennings Quarry is located at Thirty-seventh and West-
FRANCIS H. JENNINGS
JOHN E. JENNINGS
MARY J. JENNINGS
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LEHCE TILDEN FOUNDA'
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HISTORY OF WYANDOTTE COUNTY
port avenue. The younger Mr. Jennings married Miss Alice Bock of Rosedale and their son, Francis Edward, was born November 10, 1910.
HENRY LOUIS GOTTESBUREN .- Prominent among the substantial and active business men of Kansas City, Kansas, is Henry Louis Gottesburen, one of the leading plumbers of the city. He was born in Atchison county, Kansas, Angust 30, 1875, and was edneated in the Catholic schools of Kansas City, Kansas, where his parents located when he was a lad of six summers.
Compelled to go to work when but ten years of age, llenry was at first an office sweeper and later general utility boy in an office. He was afterward employed in different packing houses for a few years, in the time serving as foreman for Morris, for Armour, and for Dohls. In 1905 he bought out Stillwell & Prike, and conducted business along that line for two years. Mr. Gottesburen then devoted his energies to the mastering of the plumber's trade, and in August, 1909, started in the plumbing business on his own account. Meeting with marked success from the first, he purchased, April 28, 1910, the property which he now owns and occupies, at Nos. 701 and 703 North Sixth street, and has here built up a large and remunerative patronage, his skill being recognized thronghont the community. Mr. Gottesburen has a well-equipped establishment, and is familiar with every branch of plumbing, steam, gas, and hot water fitting. He carries on a large business, keeping six men busily employed in attending to the needs of his many customers.
Mr. Gottesburen married, June 19, 1907, Carrie Margaret Tincher, who was born in Saint Joseph, Missouri, October 25, 1883, and in 1885 was brought by her parents, William Henry and Florence Belle (Angle- ton) Tincher, to Kansas City, Kansas, which has since been her home. Fraternally Mr. Gottesburen is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen ; of the King Louis Aid Society ; and of the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association.
ANDREW NELSON, the present owner of the farm near Rosedale, has been connected with so many different enterprises, that it is difficult to know how to describe him, although he is at present a farmer. There is an old saying that "a rolling stone gathers no moss," but if Mr. Nelson will pardon our likening him to a stone, we should say that he has succeeded in gathering moss in his various experiences, and as a result he is able to enjoy his present rural life. There is a wonderful satisfaction in the thought that everything a man owns is the result of his own work and thought, and Mr. Nelson has reason to feel that satis- faction, as he has had no one to depend on for assistance, having made his own way in the world from the time he was eleven years old.
On the first day of the year 1858, in the country of Sweden, Andrew Nelson was born. He is the son of John Nelson and wife, both natives of Sweden, where they passed their entire lives. John Nelson was educated in the schools in his native town, and as a young man he was appointed to a government position. Ile was the father of four children, of whom Andrew is the third in order of birth.
Andrew Nelson was brought up in the town in which he was born, and he there attended the public schools, completing the course which
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was prescribed. At the age of eighteen, to avoid being drafted into the army, he emigrated from his native land and came to the United States. He had not learned any trade, but he was industrions and ready to do anything to make a living. He came to Hannibal, Missouri, and gained employment with the ice plant there, and for a period of forty years he worked in different capacities for the city and for the ice plant referred to. In 1910, he had saved a nice little sum of money, the result of his economies during all these years, and he came to Wyan- dotte county, where he bought the farm on which he now lives, situated at the edge of Rosedale. He had never done any farm work before, but he is possessed of a fair share of intelligence, and he is making a success of dairying.
In 1901 Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Miss Anna Meyers, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and to the union three children have been born,-Frank, Josephine and Andrew, all of whom are at home on the farm, with their parents.
Mr. Nelson is a member of the Lutheran church, in which faith he was brought up. In all national polities he is a Republican, but in local affairs he is an independent voter, as he feels that it is of more importanee to secure the right man for a certain office than it is for either party to predominate. During the short time that Mr. Nelson has been in Rosedale, he has beeome well and favorably known.
FRANK HARTIG .- In the early part of his life Frank Hartig of Walcott, Kansas, followed in his father's footsteps, and like him he too has come back to the farm as the place where he would like to do his life work. Every year there are more and more men who become farmers for themselves rather than be employed for any one else. This is a very desirable condition of affairs. It seems suitable that the man who works should receive the result of his labors. There is no class of work in which this is so much the case as in farming.
Frank Hartig was born in Wyandotte county, Kansas, in 1882. Ile was the son of John Adam Hartig, who was born in Germany, in the province of Hesse county. In 1828, when he was fourteen years old, John A. Ilartig came to this country and located in Pennsylvania in the German settlement. Ile had learned the trade of a mechanic in Germany and during the Civil war he served as bridge builder for the government. After the war was ended he entered the employ of the Frisco railroad as foreman of the car repairing department. In 1886 he had saved up a nice little sum of money and he went to Wyandotte county, Kansas, and bought the farm where his son now lives. John Adam Hartig married Nancy Jane Couts in 1844, a native of Boone county, Missouri, who was born in 1848. She died in 1895, but her husband is still living at the old home.
Frank Hartig was born on the farm where he now lives. He at- tended the district school and worked on his father's farm in his spare time. After he had left school, he was employed by the railroad, as his father had been before him. After working on several different roads, employed as a brakeman, he came back to the farm. He is a very successful farmer, raising wheat, cattle and hogs on his hundred And sixty acre farm.
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In 1910 he married Nora Ready, a young lady who was born in Wyandotte county, Kansas, of Irish descent. The young couple expect to make their permanent home in this county and they have already made their presence felt in the community and are hoping to do much for their native state.
JOHN J. BURGAR .- The present able and popular incumbent of the office of commissioner of the poor at Kansas City, Kansas, is John J. Burgar, who has resided in this city since 1877 and who has ever mani- fested a deep and sincere interest in all matters affecting the well being of this section of the state. Prior to his election as commissioner of the poor he was police sergeant, by appointment of Mayor Crockett, serving in that capacity until 1903.
John J. Burgar was born on a farm near Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the date of his nativity being the 26th of September, 1864, and he is a son of Alfred and Elizabeth (Cope) Burgar, both of whom are now deceased. The father was born and reared in the Dominion of Canada and the mother claimed the state of Maine as the place of her birth. Alfred Burgar was a tinsmith by trade and he immigrated to the United States in about the year 1860, locating in Wisconsin, where he subse- quently became identified with the great basic industry of agriculture. In 1877 he disposed of his various interests in the old Badger state of the Union and came to Kansas City, Kansas, where he was engaged in the work of his trade during the remainder of his life. Ile was summoned to the life eternal in the year 1881, and his cherished and devoted wife passed away in 1887. They were the parents of three children: John J., the immediate subject of this review; Nellie, who died when quite small; and Edward, who is engaged in the plumbing business at Kansas City, Missouri. In politics the father accorded a lifelong allegiance to the principles and policies promulgated by the Democratic party, and his religions faith was in harmony with the tenets of the Protestant Episcopal church, of which he and his wife were devout communicants.
Mr. Bnrgar, of this notice, was a child of thirteen years of age at the time of his parents removal to Kansas City. He received his early educational training in the public schools of Wisconsin and later he supplemented that discipline by further study in the Kansas City schools. In 1888, when twenty-four years of age, he joined the Metro- politan police force of this city, first as patrolman and later as police sergeant. During his early identification with this line of work he served at Station No. 1 and later at Stations No. 2 and 3, continuing to be engaged in police work until 1904, in which year the change was made from Metropolitan to City police. Mr. Burgar then resigned his posi- tion and engaged as a watchman for Swift & Company, Packers, until Mr. Crockett was elected mayor of the city, at which time he was ap- pointed police sergeant, of which office he remained in tenure until 1903, when he was honored by his fellow citizens with election to the position of commissioner of the poor. Ile is now serving his seventh term in the latter office and his long incumbency speaks well for his efficiency in discharging the duties connected therewith.
On the 10th of October, 1895. was recorded the marriage of Mr. Burgar to Miss Lyda Keim, who is a daughter of S. C. and Fannie
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Keim, both of whom were born and reared in Pennsylvania and both of whom are now living in Kansas City, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Keim were the parents of seven children-five daughters and two sons-of whom Mrs. Burgar was the second in order of birth. Mr. Keim is a representative of the old Keim family who were German pioneers in the old Keystone state of the Union, and he came to Kansas City, Kansas, in 1883, since which time he has been actively engaged in the general merchandise business on Central avenue. IIe is a loyal Republican in his political proclivities and he and his wife are Dunkards in their religious adhereney.
Mr. Burgar is decidedly prominent in fraternal organizations in Kansas. He is a valued and appreciative member of Pride of the West Lodge, No. 484, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he is past noble grand, and he is also connected with Wyandotte Eneampment, No. 9, in which he is chairman of the committee appointed to entertain the Odd Fellows during the session of the Grand Lodge of Kansas, which will be held in Kansas City in October of 1911. Mr. Burgar is likewise affiliated with Wide Awake Lodge, No. 153, Knights of Pythias; Sons and Daughters of Justice; Ancient Order of United Workmen; and with a number of other social orders of a loeal nature. In politics he is aligned as a stanch supporter of the cause of the Democratic party, and he is a member of the Episcopal church, while his wife is a Dunkard in her religious conviction. They are popular in connection with the best social activities of Kansas City and are aceorded the unalloyed regard of their fellow citizens.
CHRISTIAN KOPP .- A man of unquestioned business ability and judgment and one of the leading men of his community, Christian Kopp is intimately associated with the advancement of the manufacturing and mercantile interests of Kansas City, Kansas, where he has been actively and successfully engaged in the bakery business for a score of years. A son of George Kopp, he was born October 14, 1866, in Jeffersonville, Indiana, of German parentage.
Born, bred and educated in Baden, Germany, George Kopp immi- grated to the United States at the age of eighteen years, locating in Louisville, Kentucky. After his marriage he was engaged in agri- cultural pursuits in Kentucky until 1866, when he bought land in Clark county, Indiana, where he has since been numbered among the active and prosperous farmers of that locality. Hle married, in 1863, in Louisville, Kentucky, Catherine Bliss, who went with an aunt to that city when she was a girl of thirteen years and was there educated. Ten children were born into their household, as follows: Christian, the special subject of this sketch; P. F., of San Rafael, California; Mrs. Ilarry Crandall, a widow living at the corner of Pacific and Harrison avennes, Kansas City, Kansas; John, engaged in the grain business at New Albany, Indiana; Mary, wife of Michael Kuntz, of Clark county, Indiana ; Amelia, wife of William Brethbile, of Louisville, Kentucky, an agent for the Singer Sewing Machine Company; William, conducting the home farm in Clark county, Indiana; Elizabeth, wife of Warren Bushfield, of Louisville, Kentucky, a hydraulic engineer; Charles A., a retail baker in Louisville, Kentucky; and Herman J., of Jeffersonville, Indiana.
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Receiving a practical education in the district schools, Christian Kopp served an apprenticeship at the baker's trade in Louisville, Ken tucky, and at the age of eighteen years began working as a journeyman baker at Kansas City, Missouri. In August, 1891, he opened a bakery at his present location, in Kansas City, Kansas, beginning business on a modest scale, and from year to year has since steadily increased his operations, the output of his present plant averaging twenty-five thous- and loaves of bread each week. In 1899 Mr. Kopp erected a two-story, brick bakery and bake-shop, and has now one of the most modernly equipped and up-to-date bakeries in the state of Kansas. On March 10, 1908, the business was incorporated as a stock company, with B. Howard Smith, president ; Edward Orear, secretary; and Mr. Kopp, general manager, of what is known as the Kopp Bakery. An innnense business is here carried on, and in addition to the main store five branches have been established, as follows: The Smith Bakery, at the corner of Eighteenth and Cherry streets; the Warneke Bakery, at Seventeenth and Magee streets; the Matthaei Bakery, at Seventeenth and Madison streets; the Suydam Bakery, at 2462 Vine street; and the Crowe Bakery. The Warneke Bakery and the Crowe Bakery are to- gether, and for their use is being erected a plant at Fourteenth and Chesnut streets, which is to be one of the best in the county. Mr. Kopp is also a stockholder, and a director, in the Riverview State Bank.
On April 4, 1888, Mr. Kopp was united in marriage with Naney Ann Clark, who was born in Platte county, Missouri, which was also the birthplace of her parents, Madison and Elizabeth (Kirkendall) Clark. Mr. and Mrs. Kopp have one child, a daughter, Pearl Kopp, who has completed the high school course.
Politically Mr. Kopp uniformly supports the principles of the Democratic party, and for three terms served as a member of the City Council, being president of that body one term. Fraternally he is a member of Lodge No. 440, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of Kansas City, Kansas; of the Modern Woodmen of America; of the Ancient Order of United Workmen; and of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. True to the religious faith of his ancestors, he is a member of the Lutheran church.
JOHN McDONALD .- November 25, 1905, witnessed the passing of John McDonald, veteran soldier and farmer in Kansas for a period of forty years or thereabonts. Although six years have elapsed since his death, in the hearts of his family and in the eyes of the members of the community in which he was so greatly respected and loved. he still lives, in and through his children and the influence he left behind him.
Born in county Monaghan, Ireland, in 1829, of Irish parentage, Mr. McDonald spent the first sixteen years of his life on the Emerald Isle, where he attended school. At the age of sixteen he severed the ties which bound him to home and country, took passage for the United States, where he landed in 1845. He proceeded at once to Cincinnati, Ohio and later spent some time in St. Louis, and New Orleans, employed in various kinds of work, and through his traveling about in this man- ner he was able to gain a fair idea of the trouble which was brewing be- tween the north and the south. When war was actually declared, he was in Kansas City, operating a tannery at the corner of Twelfth street
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