USA > Kansas > Wyandotte County > History of Wyandotte County, Kansas, and its people, Vol. II > Part 38
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
783
HISTORY OF WYANDOTTE COUNTY
finest in the country. Mr. Schenck knows what good work is, as he is himself a skilled mechanic, and he employs none but first class work- men. He has been a member of the Union for fifteen years and at various times he has served on the Union Examining Board.
In 1895 Mr. Schenck married Miss Jennie Howard Nutting and to this union two children have been born, Margaretta E. and Hershaw W., both students in the Kansas City schools. Mrs. Schenck is the daugh- ter of Professor T. D. and Mary (Foote) Nutting, the former a native of Illinois. Mr. Nutting was a musical professor and devoted his life to the education of the blind, teaching them to produce strains of musi- cal harmony so as to furnish to the ear the delights which had been denied to the eye. One evening, after leaving the university which was the scene of his humanitarian labors, Professor Nutting was struck by a binding pole that ticd a load of straw; the pole was loosened from the wagon and struck him on the head and death ensued almost imme- diately. Mrs. Nutting was a prominent member of the First Presby- terian church and died in Kansas City, Kansas, in 1903, and both she and her husband left a large circle of friends to mourn their loss. Mrs. Schenck received a most thorough musical education and is a graduate from the Illinois Conservatory of Music, where she was known as a brilliant performer and a musician of wonderful interpretative ability. Her playing has always been characterized by a sweetness of touch and a simplicity of feeling that has appealed to all who listened to her. Mrs. Schenck is a thoroughly cultured lady and one who wins hosts of friends by means of her gracious presence and winning personality. Mr. Schenck is very well known in Kansas City, not only in the business world, but also in social centers, where both he and Mrs. Schenck are very popular. He is a member of the Society of Stationary Engineers and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen of Kansas City, Kansas, in both of which societies he has a high standing. It is only about a year since Mr. Schenck became his own contractor and master in bust- ness, and if we are to judge of his future by his success during the past year, we predict a great career for him.
OSCAR YUNGHANS, one of the prosperous and respected farmers of Wyandotte county, Kansas, who owns and occupies a fine farm near Piper, may be classed as a typical German-American. He was born in Germany August 1, 1860, a son of Anton and Ellenora (Zenner) Yung. hans, who now, in their declining years, make their home with him on his Kansas farm. Anton Yunghans left his native land in 1873, when about forty-seven years of age, and came to America. The following year he was joined here by his wife and five children, of whom Oscar was the third eldest, and they settled on a farm in Pennsylvania, where they made their home until 1880, when they came to Wyandotte county, Kansas, where they have since resided.
At the time the Yunghans family came to America Oscar was about fourteen years of age. He had attended school in Germany and had helped with the work on the farm on which his parents lived, and, being one of the eldest of the family, was of material assistance to his father after their home was established in this country. He worked on various farms, and was employed as a farm hand until he married, settled down and engaged in farming on his own account. That was
784
HISTORY OF WYANDOTTE COUNTY
in 1893. He married Miss Rose Lobenstein, a native of Ohio, and their union has been blessed in the birth of five children, as follows: Emil, IFulda, Emma, Edwin and Peter.
Mr. Yunghans earries on general farming, has large barns and sheds for the accommodation of his grain and stock, and his residence is one of the attractive farm houses of the vicinity.
Politically both Mr. Yunghans and his father are Democrats. He has served acceptably as township treasurer and township trustee, hav- ing filled the latter office six years. He has also served three years as a member of the school board. Ile was one of the patrons of the Commercial National Bank of Kansas City, Kansas, and was one of its first stockholders. His religions creed is that of the Lutheran church, and he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 87, at Piper, Kansas.
SAMUEL F. FINK .- Among those who by the very nature of their occupation come into elose contaet with many transactions tending toward the progress and development of a prosperous and growing community, Samuel F. Fink, one of Kansas City's leading real estate men, stands prominent. Ile has had experience in many fields of endeavor since he arrived at years of usefulness and diseretion, and hap- pily he has found the latest tried the one most congenial. He has attained to an independent position as the result of his own efforts and is well worthy of biographie honors.
Mr. Fink shares his natal day with that of American independence, his birth having occurred on July 4, 1861, in the city of Baltimore, Maryland. He is a son of William and Margaret (Murry) Fink, the former of whom was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, and died after a long life of usefulness, at the age of eighty-seven years, on September 22, 1910. Ile was shortly preceded to the Great Beyond by his beloved wife, who died October 16, 1908, when her years numbered sixty-eight. To the union of this estimable couple were born seven children, all of whom are living at the present time, the subject being the third in order of birth. The father was a carpenter and machinist in his earlier life and in later years engaged for many years as a manu- facturer at Tarrytown, near Philadelphia. Ile was known as one of the prominent business men of his community; was a member of the Presbyterian church and in political conviction was a Demoerat.
Mr. Fink received his education in the schools of Baltimore and Tarrytown and learned the machinist's trade with his father. He serured a position with the Frick Manufacturing Company at Waynes- boro, Pennsylvania, and was in the employ of this concern for some four years, being meantime amply recommended by his ability and faithfulness. It was, indeed, in the interest of the Frick Manufacturing Company that he came to Kansas City. Kansas, the date of his first identification with the city being April 6, 1883. He came in the capacity of an expert and general road man, and was depended upon in the setting up of machinery. Ile continued with the company here for about five years and then engaged with the Metropolitan Street Railroad, with whom he remained one year. For the ensuing fourteen years and a half Mr. Fink held the position of police sergeant and as one of the principal exponents of the strong arm of the law gave serviee of signal
785
HISTORY OF WYANDOTTE COUNTY
zeal and energy. At the end of his long term of service he engaged in the real estate business-his present occupation.
On April 2, 1893, Mr. Fink was united in marriage to Miss Jose- phine L. Keepers, who was born in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Floury) Keepers, both of whom were born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and both of whom are deceased at the present time. They were the parents of five children, one a son and four daughters. The son, Adam Keeper, is a physician in Green- castle, Pennsylvania, and the wife of the subject is the fourth born. Joseph Keeper was one of the pioneers of Indiana in the stage business and he was a valiant veteran of the Civil war, receiving a wound in one of the numerous engagements in which he participated. He was Repub- liean in politics and a member of the Lutheran church. Mr. and Mrs. Fink share their delightful household with one son, Kenneth W.
Mr. Fink finds no small amount of pleasure in his fraternal rela- tions with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Brotherhood of the First Presbyterian church. His wife is a member of the Triple Tie.
MRS. MINERVA HENRY .- Owning and occupying one of the most beautiful rural estates of Wyandotte county, Mrs. Minerva Henry, living near Bonner Springs, in Delaware township, is actively and profitably engaged in the raising of fruit, chickens and hogs, and also in dairying, in each branch of agriculture meeting with success. She was born on a farm in Illinois, near Danville, and there was bred and educated.
Her father, a Mr. Watson, was for many years engaged in agricul- tural pursuits in Vermilion county, Illinois, and on retiring from farm- ing moved with his family into the city of Danville, where he was en- gaged in business for many years. He is now living with his daughter, Mrs. Henry, in Bonner Springs. His wife, died in 1890, leaving seven children, as follows: William, Martin H., John R., George, Thomas, Nicholas and Minerva, now Mrs. Henry. Mr. Watson is a Democrat in politics, and he and his family are members of the Methodist church.
Minerva Watson Henry was but thirteen years old when her parents located in Danville, Illinois, where she completed her early education. In 1860 she was united in marriage with Ira M. Henry, who was born in Bismark, Vermilion county, Illinois, and died on their home farm, July 2, 1895. Five children were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Henry, namely : Martin T., the first born, now living in Danville, Illinois, mar- ried Nellie Craft ; Charles W., of Kansas City, Missouri, married Minnie Elliott ; Ira Earl, of Danville, Illinois ; Eldon B., a student at Washington University, in St. Louis; and Eldo Carl, living with his mother on the farm, and assisting her in its management. .
In 1905 Mrs. Henry moved with her family to Kansas City. Missouri, and lived there about five years. In 1910, owing partly to ill health, she had a great desire to get back upon a farm, and once more live in the open, and had the good fortune to be able to buy the beautiful farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which was located in Delaware township, near Bonner Springs, and was then owned by Jacob Longfellow. woman of good business ability, with a thorough liking for farming, Mrs. Henry is superintending the management of her estate with good success, in the raising of fruits, poultry, hogs, and in dairying finding
786
HISTORY OF WYANDOTTE COUNTY
health, pleasure and profit. She finds a ready market for the products of her dairy in Kansas City, Missouri, where there is also a demand for her eggs and chiekens.
MARX JONS, one of the prosperous German-American farmers liv- ing near Piper, Kansas, has been identified with Wyandotte county since 1869, and ranks today with the leading citizens of his community. A brief review of his life gives the following facts :
Marx Jons was born in Germany December 28, 1843, a son of Marx and Louise (Doren) Jons, one of a family of ten children. The father was a farmer and butcher, and, according to the German custom, served a term in the army, during which time he was one of the Emperor's guards.
When civil war was being waged in this country, Marx Jons, then a boy in his teens, was a friend of the Union and was anxious to come to America and take part in the war. However, on account of his age, his parents restrained him and he was kept at home until he reached his majority. In 1865, in company with a brother and sister, he sailed for
America. Arrived here, they directed their course to Illinois. Later they went to Iowa, and in the latter state Mr. Jons' brother, Peter Jons, has sinee made his home and is now extensively engaged in farming there. Marx came over into Kansas and settled in Wyandotte eonnty, where he has devoted his energies to farming and stock raising, a dairy being an important feature of his farm.
During his residence here Mr. Jons has taken an active interest in local affairs, and has efficiently served in such offiees as road overseer and member of the school board. For eighteen years he has been treas- urer of the school board. Politically he is a Democrat.
Mr. Jons has been twice married. By his first wife he has three children, Henry, Lizzie and Alvena, all of whom are married and settled in life; and by his second wife he has six children : Lollie, Annie. John, Clara, Harry and Eddie, all at home except Lollie, who is the wife of Harry Jamison. The present Mrs. Jons, whom he married in 1881. was Mrs. Elizabeth Dunn, a widow.
EDWARD J. GRUBEL, who was formerly engaged in the hotel business at Kansas City, Kansas, and who is now interested in the real estate and the show business, is a representative citizen and a man who not only has achieved his individual suecess but one who has also public spiritedly devoted himself to the general welfare of his fellow men. He has been a potent influence in advancing all enterprises and improvements pro- jected for the good of the city, eounty and state and he is recognized as a man of mark in all the relations of life.
In Kansas City, Kansas, on the 25th of February, 1870, occurred the birth of Edward J. Grubel, who is a son of George and Mary Gruhel. The parents were both born in the great Empire of Germany. whence they immigrated to the United States. For a number of years George Grubel was engaged in the grocery business in Kansas City, Kansas, but during the latter part of his life he was proprietor of a hotel located on Minnesota avenue, between Third and Minnesota streets, in the old Garno House. HIe was also the owner of the Fifth Street Hotel at the time of his demise, which occurred in 1903, at the age of sixty-two years.
787
HISTORY OF WYANDOTTE COUNTY
His cherished and devoted wife, who still survives him, is in her seventy- second year and she maintains her home at 437 State street. Of the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Grubel, Edward J., of this review, was the second in order of birth. George Grubel ever manifested a deep and sincere interest in community affairs and at one time he served with the utmost efficiency as a member of the board of aldermen of Kansas City. IIe was a member of the German Society and in his political allegiance he was formerly a Republican but a staneh Democrat prior to his death.
Mr. Grubel, whose name forms the caption for this review, early availed himself of the advantages afforded in the public schools of Kansas City. He also attended the Palmner Academy and as a young man became associated with his father in the hotel business. In 1907, he turned his attention to the show business, conducting what is known as the Electric Theatre, on Minnesota avenue. He also runs a theatre in each of the following places : Sedalia, Missouri ; Joplin, Missouri, and Pittsburg, Kansas. In addition to the latter line of enterprise he is interested in real estate operations, being the owner of considerable valuable property in various sections of the southwest. In polities he is aligned as a staneh supporter of the principles and policies of the Democratic party, and while he has never manifested aught of ambition for the honors of political office of any deseription he is ever on the qui vive to do all in his power to advance the general welfare of this city and of the state at large. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with Wyandotte Lodge, No. 440, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Grubel is unmarried.
GUSTAF A. ANDERSON .- Possessing rare business ability, tact and judgment, Gustaf A. Anderson, of Kansas City, Kansas has been an important factor in advaneing the industrial prosperity of this part of Wyandotte county, and although now practically retired from aetive pursuits is still a stockholder in the Anderson Coupling and Supply Company, of which he was the founder. A son of Abraham Anderson, he was born. July 29, 1859, at Skofde, Sweden.
Born in the same Swedish town as his son Gustaf. Abraham Ander- son was there brought up, edneated and married. Immigrating with his family to the United States in 1868, he located at Ottawa, Franklin county. Kansas, where he followed his trade of a stone mason a few years, afterwards being engaged as a contractor, and finally becoming a tiller ofthe soil in that county. Retiring from active business in 1897 he has since been a resident of Ottawa, and one of its most respected citi- zens. He is a stanneh Republican in polities, and a faithful member of the A. M. Swedish Lutheran church. His wife, whose maiden name was Anna Gustafa Billman, was born at Skofde. Sweden, and is now living in Ottawa, Kansas. Of the five sons that blessed their union. four are living, as follows: August, Gustaf A., Edwin and Harry.
But nine years old when he crossed the ocean with his parents. Gustaf A. Anderson continued his studies in the public schools of Ottawa, Kansas, and in Lawrenee, Kansas, obtaining a good education when young. After leaving school. he, in company with a brother, was for eight years employed in tilling the soil. Not satisfied with his work, Mr. Anderson spent sometime with the wholesale dry goods firm of
788
HISTORY OF WYANDOTTE COUNTY
Bullene, Moore, Emery & Company, after which he was bookkeeper at Roswell, New Mexico, for the Bush & Mallon Land and Cattle Company, for a year. Returning then to Ottawa, Kansas, he was there engaged in the grocery and boot and shoe business for eight years. Coming to Kansas City in September, 1898, Mr. Anderson began the manufacture of fire department supplies, his factory being located at Kansas City, Missouri, until 1906, when he transferred his plant and business to Kansas City, Kansas. He ereeted the present building, which is of stone and pressed briek, one hundred feet by one hundred and twenty feet, and two stories in height. Ile has been very successful in his manufactures and has many patents on his apparatus, these bringing him in a handsome ineome. In 1907, Mr. Anderson retired from the firm, although he retains an interest in it, its officers now being as fol- lows : S. O. Harpster, president and treasurer; M. L. Alden, vice presi dent; and H. O. Harpster, seeretary and superintendent. The firm manufactures motor-propelled and horse-drawn fire apparatus, chemical engines, hose carts, Anderson hose couplings, fire extinguishers, engine honse fixtures, electrice alarms, combination nozzles, ete., etc. Three or four years ago Mr. Anderson established a similar manufacturing plant at Camden, Maine, where, in 1907 and 1908 he spent seventeen months.
On May 24, 1893, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage with Selma Amanda Melander, who was born in Ottawa, Kansas, January 4, 1873, a daughter of Andrew and Tena (Isaekson) Melander, both of whom were born in Sweden, eame with their parents to America, and were married at the home of Mr. Anderson's parents, in Kansas, she being the oldest child in a family of four daughters and one son. Mr. Melander, a machinist by trade, was one of the pioneer employes of the Santa Fe Railroad Company, with which he was connected until 1906, when he was retired with a pension. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are the parents of five children, namely : Leone, Frederiek, Eleanor, Gerald and Porter C.
Fraternally Mr. Anderson is a member of Wyandotte Lodge, No. 440, Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, and of the Knights of Pythias. He belongs to the Swedish Society, and both he and his wife, true to the religious teaching of their early days are members of the A. M. Swedish Lutheran church. In his political relations he is a straightforward Republican.
JOHN R. TWIST was born March 24, 1878, on the farm on which he now lives, near Bonner Springs, Kansas, in Delaware township, Wyan- dotte county, where his parents, Captain Russell P. and Mina (Kern) Twist, settled in 1871.
Russell P. Twist was a native of the Empire State, born in 1827, of New England parentage, his father having been born in Massachusetts, his mother at Hartford, Connecticut. The latter was before marriage Miss Kate Beardsley ; she lived to the advanced age of ninety-two years. The Captain's father was also a captain, and served under General Harrison in the war of 1812, and both his grandfather Twist and his grandfather Beardsley served as soldiers in the Revolutionary war. Grandfather Beardsley lost his hearing by having a cannon ball burst over his head. A brother of Russell P .. George Twist, served in the in the Mexican war, and Russell P. and three of his brothers were Union
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIPE
ASTEK TILDEN FO
MH Newhall
789
HISTORY OF WYANDOTTE COUNTY
soldiers in the Civil war. Thus it is seen that the Twists have figured in all the wars of this country sinee Colonial days. It was on April 14, 1861, that Russell P. Twist tendered his service to his country. He enlisted as a member of Company E, Sixteenth Ohio Volunteers, and served with that command three months, as sergeant. Then he re- cruited the Sixteenth Ohio Battery, of which he was elected first lieu- tenant and afterward eaptain, and retained the command until the close of the war, participating in all its engagements; was in the battle of Phillipi and marched through Missouri and Arkansas, and joined the Army of the Southwest under command of General Curtis; was also in the battle of Champion Hill, and took position in the rear of Vicksburg May 21. To Captain Russell P. Twist's regiment belonged the distinc- tion of throwing the last shot into Vicksburg from the land batteries. Ile was mustered out of the service on August 2, 1865.
Captain Twist had gone to Ohio with his parents when he was eight years old, and there learned the trade of cabinet maker. After the war he continued to make Ohio his home until 1871, when he came to Kansas and settled on a farm in Delaware township, Wyandotte county, where he spent the rest of his life and died. Ile was twice married, Mina (Kern) Twist, his second wife, being the mother of his children, eight in number, of whom five are now living, namely : Mrs. Dora E. Treff ; John R .; Pearl L., a resident of Kansas City ; Mrs. J. H. Bohart, of Kansas City, Missouri ; and Henry, who lives on the home farm with his brother, John R., and brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Treff.
Russell P. Twist, the father, died August 8, 1906, and Mina Twist, the mother, passed away March 4, 1910. She eame to Kansas in Deceni- ber, 1872, from Cleveland, Ohio, and they were married Jannary 16, 1876.
The beautiful home on the Twist farm, together with the fine grove and other improvements, make this place one of the best in the county. The farm consists of one hundred and sixty acres and is operated by .John R. Twist and Mr. Treff, their chief crops being wheat, corn and apples.
John R. Twist married Miss Maude Marks, whose untimely death in 1909 left him and two small children, Gladys and Russell, to mourn their loss.
MARTIN HERRICK NEWHALL .- Inheriting in no small measure the energy, thrift and public spirit of his honored New England ancestors, Martin Herrick Newhall was for several years actively associated with the best interests of Kansas City, Kansas, and his death was a genuine loss not only to his immediate family, but to the entire community. He was born, May 10, 1844, in Weathersfield, Vermont, and died in Kansas City, Kansas, March 6, 1909. his body being laid to rest in Mt. Hope cemetery. His father, Melvin Newhall, was a son of John New- hall, a native of Massachusetts, and his wife, whose maiden name was Sophronia Herrick, was a daughter of Martin Herrick, a New England farmer.
When but an infant Martin Herriek Newhall was left motherless, and, his father dying eleven years later, was brought up by a guardian. He was educated in Vermont, being graduated from the high school in Springfield, that state. Soon after the outbreak of the Civil war he offered his services to his country, enlisting, in August, 1861, in Com-
790
HISTORY OF WYANDOTTE COUNTY
pany A, Twelfth Vermont Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Potomae. With his command he was at the front in numerous engagements. Being honorably discharged at the expira- tion of his term of enlistment, Mr. Newhall returned to his old home, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits until his marriage. Searching then for a favorable location, he came westward as far as Joliet, Illinois, where for two years he condueted a grocery. Moving then with his family to Newton county, Indiana, Mr. Newhall pur- chased land, and there, in addition to carrying on a successful business as a dealer in meat, was for eleven years engaged in general farming. Disposing of his interests in Indiana, he came to Kansas City, Kansas, and for sometime was prosperously engaged in the real estate and insurance business. In March, 1904, Mr. Newhall was elected judge of Smith City Court, and thereafter ably and faithfully filled the position until his death. The judge was a stanch Republican in politics, and while a resident of Newton county, Indiana, served for three years as township trustee. He was a valued member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, and at different times was a member of its offi- cial board. Fraternally he belonged to the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
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.