USA > Kansas > Wyandotte County > History of Wyandotte County, Kansas, and its people, Vol. II > Part 42
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
Migrating to Missouri when seventeen years old, he worked as a farm hand in Platte county for a number of years, by industry and economy accumulating some money. Desirous of obtaining good land, he came to Wyandotte county, Kansas in 1881, and purchased the land now owned and occupied by his widow and children, and was here prosperously engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death. His
farm contains two hundred and seventy-six acres of valuable land, and is now managed by his widow and his sons, John Il. and Thomas J. Miller, who are carrying on general farming and stock raising quite extensively. They also own eighty aeres of good land in Prairie town- ship, Wyandotte county.
General Houston Miller married Melissa Coleman, a native of Ken- tucky, which was likewise the birthplace of her parents, neither of whom are now living. Nine children blessed their union, namely: Claudia,
813
HISTORY OF WYANDOTTE COUNTY
Thomas; John H., who assists his mother in the management of the farm, taking upon himself all responsibility in regard to its work: Pearl; Albert, now teaching school; Willie; Hubert; Goldie; and Robin. Mrs. Miller and her family belong to the Methodist church. John H. Miller is a young man of much ability and enterprise, and is ably con- tinning the improvements previously inaugurated by his father. ITe raises cattle to some extent, and is now preparing to embark in the raising of faney stock on a more extended seale, being quite interested in that branch of farming. He is a Demoerat in politics and frater- nally is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, Camp No. 4202.
WILLIAM BEGGS .- Secure in the enjoyment of the confidence and respect of the community in which he is best known is William Beggs, leader in Republiean politics and present register of deeds. A tinner by trade, for the past several years he has had an opportunity to prove himself a most efficient and faithful public officer, his present office hav- ing been preceded by a number of terms in the capacity of township trustee. Mr. Beggs was born in Ireland, but emigrated from his native Erin when a boy of tender years and he has come to be one of the most enthusiastically loyal of Americans. He was born on May 27, 1857. in
county Down, Freland, and is the son of Richard and Ann (Leamon) Beggs, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The father is now liv- ing, a venerable and mueh respeeted gentleman, in Kansas City, Kansas, the mother. however, having passed on to the "Undiscovered Country" in 1906, at the age of sixty-eight years. Mr. Beggs is one of a family of seven children, all of whom survive, and he being the eldest born. He was a lad of about seven years when, in 1864, the little family started on their journey in quest of the greater opportunity and independence held out, according to popular repute, by the newer land. They made the voyage in the manner of that day in a sailing ship and landed in New York City, eventually finding their way to the city of Chicago. After a residence of some time in the "Windy City," the family made their way to Kansas City, Kansas. Here Mr. Beggs the elder, engaged with the Fowler Packing.Company, in course of time becoming foreman and remaining with this important concern until 1907, in which year he retired. He was city councilman for two terms, giving his influence toward a city administration of sound and sane character and in lodge circles he is a prominent and popular figure. He affiliates with Wyan- dotte Lodge, Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, and also with the Woodmen of America, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In politics this much respected gentleman pays fealty to the "Grand Old Party," as its adherents are pleased to call it, and takes a great interest in public affairs and all that tends to the betterment of general conditions.
Mr. Beggs, the immediate subject of this review, passed his hoy- hood days at various points and received the major part of his educa- tion in the public schools of Chicago. When he took his place as a factor in the work-a-day world it was as an employe of the great paeking house of Armour & Company in that city. his capacity being that of a tinner. In 1875 he came to Kansas and here pursued his trade until 1904, when he assumed a position in the Kansas State Grain Depart- ment. in which he remained for two years. Ile was elected township
814
HISTORY OF WYANDOTTE COUNTY
trustee in 1906 and in 1908 received unmistakable evidence of the satis- factory character of his services from the viewpoint of his constituents by re-election. In 1910 he was elected register of deeds with the great majority of nearly two thousand and leading on both tickets.
Like his honored father, Mr. Beggs is an enthusiastie member of the time honored Masonic Order, belonging to Sherman Lodge, Aneient, Free and Accepted Masons. He is likewise a member of Chelsea Lodge, No. 564, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and to many other socie- ties. Since his earliest voting days he has subscribed to the artieles of faith of the Republican party and to all matters of publie import he gives an intelligent and investigative attention.
On March 20, 1888, Mr. Beggs was happily married to Miss Emilia Ahlstedt, a native of Moline, Illinois, and the daughter of Gust and Matilda Ahlstedt, both of whom were born in Sweden and both of whom survive at the present time. Mrs. Beggs is the second in order of birth of a family of eight children, all of whom survive. Iler father is a cabinet maker by trade, a member of the Swedish Society, and a Demo- erat in political faith. Mr. and Mrs. Beggs share their comfortable and delightful home with the following children : Ruby Florence, a teacher in the public school ; Pearl Anna ; Charles Richard ; Robert Emmet ; and Dorothy Helen.
JACOB BLANZ .- Numbered among the sturdy, energetic and success- ful farmers of Wyandotte county, is Jacob Blanz, of Bonner Springs, who thoroughly understands the vocation which he is following and is carrying it on with both pleasure and profit. He was born November 11, 1861, in Wurtemberg, Germany, where he grew to manhood. ITis father, John F. Blanz, was born in Germany, and is there still, engaged in agricultural pursuits. He makes a specialty of growing a fine quality of grapes, and is noted as a manufacturer of wines of the highest grade. Ile married Gnstina Sehmitgall, who died on the home farm in Germany in 1906.
One of a family of six children, Jacob Blanz remained at home until about thirty years of age, in the meantime serving ten months in the German army. Immigrating to the United States in 1892, he located in Wyandotte county, Kansas, and for several years was employed in the packing houses. Investing his accumulations in land after he had saved a sufficient sum to warrant him in so doing, Mr. Blanz bought his present farm of eighty acres, a part of which he devotes to the raising of wheat, the remainder being either used for pasturing eattle or for the growing of timber.
Mr. Blanz married, in April, 1902, Elizabeth Znehlke, who came with her parents to this country in 1892, the same year that Mr. Blanz did, and lived for a while in Iowa, from there coming to Kansas City, Missouri, with her father, who is still a resident of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Blanz have three small children, namely : Bertha Elizabeth, Flora Katy and John Frederick. Politically Mr. Blanz uniformly casts his vote in favor of the Democratic party.
JOSEPH L. SHORE is one of the live real estate men of Kansas City and is likewise well serving the public in the capacity of county assessor. Although still a young man, he has engaged in many fields of endeavor-
815
HISTORY OF WYANDOTTE COUNTY
as section hand, farmer, in the laundry and grocery business, in several capacities with the Fowler Packing Company and in real estate, and happily has found the last the most congenial and profitable. Mr. Shore is a native son of the county, his birth having occurred here May 27, 1873, the son of John M. and Lettie E. (Haynes) Shore. The parents were both Southerners, the father having been born in North Carolina in 1841, and died in 1899; and the mother, now living in Wyandotte county, being a native of Tennessee. They became the par- ents of seven children, five sons and two daughters, and the subjeet was the third in order of birth. Six of the seven survive at the present time. John M. Shore came to Missouri when a young man and supple- mented his education with a course in Chappell College, engaging in farming in that state. About the year 1865 he located in Wyandotte township, Wyandotte county, and spent the remainder of his days in farming. He was a man well known and generally respected and he proved very useful in the community. At the time of his death he was superintendent of the county poor farm and he held other public offices, among them that of township trustee. He was Republican in politics and took an active interest in public affairs, lending sympathy and support to all measures likely to result in good to the community in general.
Joseph L. Shore received his education in the Wyandotte county public schools. He spent the roseate days of youth beneath the paren- tal roof, attending school in the winter and during the summer months assisting his father on the farm. His first position was as a section hand on the railway and then for two years after his marriage he engaged in farming. In 1897 he located in Higginsville, Missouri, and opened up a laundry business, which he conducted for the ensuing year. Aban- doning this enterprise for something in which profits would be surer and responsibility less, he secured a position with the Fowler Packing Com- pany, first as scale man and later as foreman, and for several years continued this association. In 1902 he engaged-in the real estate busi- ness and for almost a decade has made this his occupation, his efforts being erowned with success. On November 8, 1910, .Mr. Shore assumed his first trust as a public official by his election as county assessor and in this capacity he has given service of the most faithful and efficient character.
On December 5, 1895, Mr. Shore was united in marriage to Hattie M. Matthews, who was born in the state of Missouri and is a daughter of William and Ella M. Matthews, both natives of Ohio. This happy union has been further blessed by the birth of two daughters, Ella and Alma.
Fraternally Mr. Shore is identified with Lodge No. 315, Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows; with the Sons and Daughters of Justice; and the Loyal Order of Moose. He is an enthusiastic adherent of the "Grand Old Party," and is ever ready to do all in his power for the support of the policies and principles he believes to be superior.
JACOB SCHEIDT .- A man of good business capacity, great intelli- gence and enterprise, Jacob Scheidt is numbered among the active and progressive agrieulturists of Wyandotte county, his handsome property lying near Bonner Springs. Like many others of the more prosperous
816
HISTORY OF WYANDOTTE COUNTY
of our citizens he is of foreign birth and breeding, having been born December 1, 1850, in Bavaria, Germany, where he was bred and educated.
IFenry Scheidt, his father, was born in Germany in 1824, and is still a resident of the Fatherland. Until his retirement from active pursuits, he was a civil engineer for the German Government, it being his duty in that capacity to look after the bridges and landing places for the army. Ile fought with the army in three battles, ranking as major. Ile married Elizabeth Rupp, who spent her entire life in Germany. her death occuring in 1874, aged about forty years. Five children were born of their union, as follows: Jacob, the special subject of this brief personal review ; Adam, a railway engineer in Germany; Henry, operat- ing a planing mill in New York; Catherine, living in Germany; and August, who lived but nine years.
Brought up in Germany, Jacob Scheidt studied civil engineering at the Heidelberg University, and subsequently, while his father was in the German army, looked after his milling interests. Immigrating to this country in 1871, he was for some time employed in a brewery in Cinein- nati, Ohio. In 1878 he continued his journey westward, locating in Wyandotte county. Kansas, as a farmer. He has since bought land from time to time and now has a finely improved and highly produetive estate of three hundred acres, which he devotes to stock raising, dairying and potato growing, being one of the largest potato producers of his community. Politically Mr. Scheidt is affiliated with the Republican party, although in county elections he votes for the men and measures lie deems best, regardless of party restrictions. Fraternally he be- longs to the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons and to the Modern Woodmen of America.
Mr. Scheidt married February 22. 1879, Emma Herwald, who was born and brought up in Wyandotte county, and as a little girl played with the Indian children. Her father, Carl Herwald, came to Wyan- dotte county in 1859, and is now living retired from active pursuits on the farm adjoining that of his son-in-law, Mr. Scheidt. Mr. and Mrs. Scheidt are the parents of twelve children, nine boys and three girls. all of whom are at home and help in the farm work, namely: Ernest, who was educated in the common schools and in the John Wesley Uni- versity, at Salina, Kansas, is a farmer and at home; Charlie, who re- ceived a high school education is at home: Louise, Jacob Lee. Anna. Henry, Walter, Otto, Emma. Amelia. Paul and Johnnie.
BERNARD DUFFELS, who is the superintendent of the manufactur- ing plant of the Griffen Wheel Company, at Kansas City, Kansas, is a native of the city of Chicago, Illinois, and a man of self-acquired success that deserves the highest praise. He has been a hard worker since he was fifteen years of age and each step of progress has been made possible by his own previous attention to business and careful direction of his resources to the best interests of those whom he served. While the major portion of his attention has been given to business affairs, he has shown commendable interest in public enterprises and has contributed in generous measure to all projects advaneed for the good of the community and of the county and state at large.
In Chicago, Illinois, on the 21st of November, 1871. occurred the
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ANTON LEHEX TILDEN FORADATIONS
GEORGE DEBUS
817
HISTORY OF WYANDOTTE COUNTY
birth of Bernard Duffels, who is a son of John H. and Mary (Clopper) Duffels, both of whom were born and reared in Amsterdam, Holland, and both of whom are now deceased. The father was called to eternal rest in 1896, at the age of seventy-three years, and the mother passed away in 1908, in her eightieth year. John H. Duffels was united in marriage to Mary Clopper in Amsterdam, whenee they came to the United States in the year 1870, proceeding immediately to Chicago, where he engaged in the work of his trade-that of cabinet maker. Mr. and Mrs. Duffels were the parents of three children, two of whom are now living, Bernard, of this review; and Albert, who maintains his home at Chicago.
In the excellent public schools of Chicago Bernard Duffels received his early educational training. He was only allowed to attend school until his fifteenth year, however, for at that time he was apprenticed out to learn the foundry business. In 1889, when but twenty-three years of age, he became assistant foreman at Chicago for the Griffen Wheel Company. He has since continued in the employ of that large concern, working for them at different points in the east and west. In January, 1900, he came to Kansas City, Kansas, as foreman of their plant here, and two years later he was promoted to the position of superintendent of the factory of the Griffen Wheel Company. This position he has retained to the present time, continually making himself of more value to his employers, so that he is now one of their most trusted and re- sponsible workmen. In polities he maintains an independent attitude, preferring to give his support to men and measures meeting with the approval of his judgment rather than to vote along strictly partisan lines. His religious faith is in harmony with the teachings of the Roman Catholic church, of which he has been a devout communicant since early youth.
On the 8th of February, 1893, was recorded the marriage of Mr. Duffels to Miss Agnes Dillon, who was likewise born and reared in Chicago and who is a daughter of Michael and Maggie Dillon. Mr. and Mrs. Dillon were natives of Ireland, whence they immigrated to this country in the year 1868, settling in the great western metropolis of Chicago. They are both deceased, in 1911, and are survived by their seven children, of whom Mrs. Duffels was the youngest daughter in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Duffels have five bright and accomplished daughters, namely : Gertrude, Margaret, Mabel, Rose and Alice, all of whom are at home and attending school.
Active and enterprising ( Mr. Duffels has achieved a most gratify- ing success as a business man. Socially he is genial and courteous, the popularity that comes from these qualities, combined with the dis- tinction that comes from his achievements, making him a man among many. Loyal and public spirited in his civic attitude and true to every call upon his manhood Mr. Duffels is well worthy of the high regard which is everywhere accorded him.
GEORGE DEBUS .- The twentieth day of June, 1903, witnessed the passing of George Debus, who was identified with the history of the state of Missouri for half a century or thereabouts, and although eight years have elapsed between the time of his death and the present time, yet in the hearts of his family, and in the eyes of the members of the
818
HISTORY OF WYANDOTTE COUNTY
community in which he was so prominent, he still lives in and through his children, and the influence which he left behind him. A history of this section of the country would not be complete without some men- tion of this able man and some slight review of his life in America.
George Debus was a native of Germany, that glorious Fatherland from which so many of our best citizens have originally haled, and he was born at Hessen, May 24, 1820. He was educated in his home town. and was there reared to manhood, where he carried on the business of farming, a calling which his father had followed before him. When he was abont thirty years of age, he severed the ties which bound him to home and country, embarked in a sailing vessel and started for the new world, which was to mean so much to him. After a long, dreary voyage, in the course of which he many times wished himself back on dry land with his fellow countrymen, he arrived at Baltimore, Mary- land, where all was bright and sunny, where the vivid hued flowers and the sweet voiced birds vied with each other in their efforts to welcome the stranger. With a strong feeling of hope in his bosom, George Debus took river passage and went to St. Louis. Arrived in Missouri, he had no wish to travel further, but he journeyed hy coach from St. Louis to Kansas City, Missouri, then nothing but a scattered collection of houses, where the Indians came and plundered at their will. He stayed in this vicinity for about ten years, until the war between the North and the South broke ont, when he offered his services in the cause of emancipation of the slaves, as slavery was a condition which was abhorrent to his nature and his training in the old country. After the war he bought a tract of land adjoining the city, twenty-nine and nine-tenths acres in extent. On this land there was an old Indian log house and in this Mr. Debus lived until he was able to put up a more con- venient frame honse. The house he built was small, but was so planned that additions could be made from time to time as the necessity and the opportunity arose. By degrees their little home was enlarged and beautified until it reached its present proportions and beautiful aspect. The land was covered with a luxuriant growth of timber, and Mr. Debus cleared the place himself and made the improvements which changed the homestead from a wild forest home to the cultivated farm it is today. Mr. Debus lived there until the time of his death, and he now lies in Quindaro cemetery, near the scenes of his life work.
Soon after Mr. Debus settled in Kansas City he made the aequain- tance of Gertrude Rhinehart, a German maiden who came from Hessen Germany, like himself, where she was born January 27, 1839. She was the daughter of Theobald and Elizabeth ( Blasch) Rhinehart and she came to Ameriea by the same slow route that Mr. Debus had taken, securing passage in an old sailing vessel bound for New Orleans. She was forty-five days on the water, during which time sea-sickness and home sickness mingled with the feelings of terror which the stormy passage inspired. The voyage seemed as if it would never end, but when she arrived in New Orleans, the same beauties of nature greeted and cheered her as had revived the drooping spirits of Mr. Debus on his arrival. She went up the river to St. Lonis and thence to Kansas City by boat. Near Memphis the boat broke in two, but fortunately no one drowned, nor did they even fall in the water, which was coated with a thin layer of ice, for the season was winter, and the weather was
819
JHISTORY OF WYANDOTTE COUNTY
bitterly cold. As it was she suffered enough hardships and has never forgotten the terrible experiences of that trip. She finally arrived at Kansas City, Missouri, and, the friendship between her and Mr. Debus culminated in marriage, and to the union thirteen children were born. If the couple were at all inclined to be superstitious, the number would have seemed an unlucky one, but although they have of course had their share of trouble, yet on the whole the course of Mr. and Mrs. Debus has been unattended by crosses and difficulties. The death of two of their children was deeply lamented by both parents, and Mrs. Debus has never become reconciled to the loss of her husband, but even as she mourns his loss, she is contented in the love of her children who lavish upon her such affectionate cares as she will permit. Mrs. Debus is a member of the Lutheran church, the faith in which she was trained in the old country. Some brief note of the following children of this honored couple, will be of interest to their friends. Lizzie, the first born, married Mr. Christ Scholtz and lives in Chelsea, at 1804 No. Thirty-first street ; William is a farmer and lives in Quindaro township ; John is the sexton at Mount Hope cemetery; Henry died in 1900, at the age of twenty-seven years; Mary married Mr. O. Drimell and died in 1901, at the age of thirty-eight years; Philip is a mail carrier and lives at the corner of Thirty-sixth street and Wood avenue; Margaret is mar- ried to Mr. M. Deckner; Wilhelmina is the wife of Tony Grindell, a mail carrier of Kansas City, Kansas; and Frank was born January 2, 1876, and was educated in the district school of his township, and has always lived at home on the old farm, which he has managed for some years. In March, 1903, he married Louise (Masengarb) Debus, the daughter of Jacob and Francisco (Robert) Masengarb, both natives of Baden, Germany, where their daughter. Louise was born May 29, 1878. She came to America when she was a lassie of seventeen, going direct to Geneseo, Illinois, from whence she came to Kansas City in 1898 and five years later married Henry Debus who died in 1900, as above stated. Three years later she married Frank Debus, and two children have been born to the union, Frank Jr., and Marie. Frank Jr., has entered the public schools and is a student in the same school that his father at- tended as a boy, but the teaching has undergone many changes since that time. Mr. Frank Debus does market gardening on his land, and he ships his produce to distant points. He is able to get good prices as his fruits and vegetables are of a first class order, the result of his careful attention. It is a delight to him to ocenpy himself with the duties on the farm, work which was so ably done by his revered father for years. Ile is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Red Men, standing high with his fraternal brethren in that order.
There is no man in all Wyandotte county who was more favorably known that Mr. George Debus ; he was respeeted on account of his up- rightness of character and liked because of his many lovable traits.
WILLIAM E. EINHELLIG .- Bonner Springs is situated in the midst of a rich agricultural region and is the home of many active and well-to-do farmers, noteworthy among the number being William Einhellig, a man of superior business qualifications and an earnest and thorough agrieulturist. A son of the late Jacob Einhellig. he was born on the
820
HISTORY OF WYANDOTTE COUNTY
farm where he now resides October 16, 1877, coming from thrifty Ger- man ancestery.
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.