USA > Kansas > Wyandotte County > History of Wyandotte County, Kansas, and its people, Vol. II > Part 65
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Mr. Ely's birth occurred in 1876 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and he is the son of Samnel and Sarah (Cadwallader) Ely, both natives of Pennsylvania, the father born in Bucks county and the mother in Phila- delphia county. The couple first came to Wyandotte county forty-three years ago, and Mr. Ely. Sr., engaged in the fruit business and also taught school in the county. Five years later he became interested in the dairy business, the occupation he followed till his death in 1897. Mr. Ely and wife belonged to old families of Pennsylvania Quakers, and he himself observed many of the old customs as long as he lived. His political sympathies were entirely with the Republican party. He was survived by his wife and two children, Louis L., with whom the widow maintains her home, and Charles C., an electrician.
Although born in Pennsylvania. Louis L., has no recollection of his native town, as he came to Wyandotte county with his parents when he was a baby ; was educated in the public schools where his father had formerly taught several years, and on coneluding his school life he learned the dairy business with his father. He is now the owner of sixty cows, operates two wagons and employs five men in order to supply the needs of his customers. Ilis knowledge of the dairy business is
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thorough, his equipments up-to-date and his methods of dealing with customers are marked by their uprightness and rectitude. He, his mother and his adopted sister. Ruth, live in their comfortable home in Rosedale, content with their present suceess and looking forward with confident expectation to the future.
CHARLES RIEKE .- At this junction in a volume devoted to the careers of representative citizens of Wyandotte county, Kansas, it is a plea- sure to insert a brief history of the life of Charles Rieke, who has ever been on the alert to forward all measures and enterprises pro- jeeted for the good of the general welfare. The major portion of his time and attention is devoted to diversified agriculture and the raising of high grade stock, his fine estate of forty aeres in Shawnee township being elegibly located two and one-half miles distant from Merriam.
Charles Rieke was born on the farm on which he now resides, in Wyandotte county, Kansas, the date of his nativity being the 14th of March, 1875. He is a son of Charles and Elizabeth (Binda) Rieke, the former of whom died on the 7th of March, 1909, and the latter of whom passed away on the 5th of December, 1888, both being buried in Shawnee cemetery. The father was born in Prussia on the 5th of December, 1844, and he was reared and edueated in his native land. While serving his term of enlistment in the German army his right foot was injured by a cannon running over his instep. He came to America in 1871, and after stopping for a short time in Missouri he came to Wyandotte county, where he purchased a traet of forty acres of wild land, the same being located in Shawnee township, near Merriam. Mr. Rieke erected a rude log hut on his land and resided therein until he had cleared a goodly portion of his farm. The present attractive residence of six rooms was built in 1895, and after setting out twenty-five aeres of his land to fruits of all kinds he erected his modern barns and other buildings. Prior to his death he owned one of the most up-to-date fruit farms in Wyandotte county. In early life he was a member of the Lutheran church but at the time of his demise he was a devout communi- cant of the Catholic church. Mr. and Mrs. Rieke became the parents of the following children : Amelia (deceased), Otto, Charles, Henry, Lizzie, Louis (deceased). Louis (named after deceased brother). Anna, Frances and Albin.
On the old homestead farm Charles Rieke, the immediate subject of this review, was reared to maturity, his early educational training con- sisting of such advantages as were offered in the Catholic parochial schools of Shawnee township. After the death of his parents he bought up the various shares of his brothers and sisters in the home estate and is now sole owner of the old farm. In addition to fruit raising he gives his attention to general farming and the raising of thoroughbred stock. He has been marvelously successful as a farmer and his finely improved estate is one of the show places of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Rieke are now adding an addition of two rooms to their home, which they are converting into an up-to-date modern residence, the same heated by a hot air furnace and has its own acetylene gas plant and water system. This modern home also contains the only washing outfit in the west, rendering this usually burdensome employment easy and enjoyable,
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their gasoline engine doing practically all the work, pumps the water and turns the washer and also the wringer. While he has never mani- fested aught of ambition for political preferment of any description, Mr. Rieke is ever on the qui vive to advance all measures and enterprises projected for progress and improvement. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with a number of representative organizations of a local nature and in his religious faith he is a consistent Catholic, as is also his wife.
On the 25th of October, 1899, Mr. Rieke was united in marriage to Miss Antonia Hanser, who was born in Kansas City on the 26th of Feb- ruary, 1879, and who is a daughter of Anton and Teresa (Seitner) Hauser. Mr. and Mrs. Hauser were born and reared in Austria, where was solemnized their marriage and whence they immigrated to America. They are now living near Merriam, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Rieke are the parents of six children, whose names are here entered in respective order of birth : Teresa Elizabeth, Charles Anthony, Leo Otto, Anthony Aloysius, Ernest John and Walter.
CHARLES W. SCHELLER .- One of the most prominent real estate dealers in Kansas City, Kansas, and a citizen who has contributed in generous measure to all projects advanced for the well being of this section of the state, Charles W. Scheller is everywhere accorded the unalloyed confidence and esteem of his fellow men. He was born in Oneida county, New York, on the 21st of January, 1856, and is a son of Carl and Magdalene (Heissel) Scheller, both of whom were born and reared in the great Empire of Germany and both of whom immigrated to the United States at an early age. The father was born in 1826 and he is now living. at the venerable age of eighty-five years, in Kansas City, Kansas. After a long and tedious voyage across the Atlantic ocean in a sailing ship Carl Scheller disembarked at New York city, where he was engaged for a short time at the work of his trade, that of cabinet maker. Later he removed to Oneida county, New York, and there he continued to be identified with the work of his trade until 1899, in which year he followed the tide of westward immigration and removed to Kansas City, whither his son, the subject of this review, had pre- ceded him, in 1878. He is now living virtually retired from participa- tion in active business affairs, and although he has reached an advanced age his mental and physical faculties remain practically unimpaired. He and his wife, whose maiden name was Magdalene Ileissel, became the parents of two children: Charles W .. the immediate subject of this sketch ; and Harry, who is engaged at the city water department and who maintains his home at Kansas City Kansas. Mrs. Seheller was sum- moned to the life eternal in 1897, at seventy-two years of age.
After availing himself of the advantages afforded in the public schools of his native place, Charles W. Scheller initiated his active career as a bootblack. In 1878 he severed the ties which bound him to home and responding to the call of the west he immigrated to Wyandotte county, Kansas, where he entered the employ of the great Armour Packing Company as a common laborer. Subsequently he was pro- moted to the position of timekeeper for that company and after eleven years of faithful service in that capacity he was placed in charge of the loading and packing of export meats. In connection with the latter position he was manager of the North house up to 1903, when he re- Vol. II-31
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signed from further service with the packing concern. For fully a quarter of a century Mr. Scheller was in the employ of the Armour company and that fact alone is ample evidence of his eminently satis- factory service. In 1903 he became interested in the real estate busi- ness, and he is now one of the most prominent men in that line of en- terprise in Kansas City, Kansas. He is the owner of considerable valuable property himself and he has successfully engineered some of the biggest land deals ever transacted in this place. In politics he aecords a stanch allegiance to the canse of the Republican party and he has been honored by his fellow citizens with election to membership in the city council, having served for two terms as an alderman from the Second ward.
At Kansas City, on the 25th of April, 1883, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Scheller to Miss Mary A. Lugibihl, who was born and reared in Wyandotte county, Kansas, and who is a daughter of Peter and Sabilla Lugibihl, both natives of Germany and both now deceased. Mrs. Scheller was the first born in a family of three daughters. The father came to America as a young man and he first engaged in the shoe business and later he condueted a general mercantile establishment at Kansas City. He was deeply and sincerely interested in community affairs and during the last ten years of his life he gave most efficient service as a member of the city board of alderman. He died in 1893 and his cherished and devoted wife passed away in 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Scheller have two children, Karl P., who is an electrical engineer by profession and who resides in the city of Chicago, Illinois; and Edith, who is the wife of John S. Winters, of this eity.
In a fraternal way Mr. Scheller is a valued and appreciative mem- her of Wyandotte Lodge, No. 440, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks ; Germania Lodge, No. 41, Knights of Pythias: and of the Aneient Order of United Workmen. Mr. Scheller is a man of fine mentality and broad human sympathy. TTe thoroughly enjoys home life and takes great pleasure in the society of his family and friends. He is always courteons, kindly and affable, and those who know him personally accord him the highest esteem. llis life has been exemplary in all respects and he has ever contributed generously to all charitable and benevolent institutions in this city.
THOMAS J. BARKER .- In a publication whose functions include the consideration of the life and labors of the sterling pioneers who have been actively concerned with the social and material upbuilding of Wyandotte county there is special consistency in according recognition to Thomas Jefferson Barker, who was one of the first settlers of Kansas City. this county. He has been a resident of Kansas for more than half a century and is now one of the venerable and honored citizens of Kansas ('ity, where he is still actively identified with business interests, as head of the real estate firm of T. J. Barker & Sons. He has gained sneeess and independence through his own ability and energies, and his life has been so gnided and governed as to gain and retain to him the un- malified confidence and respeet of his fellow men. As one of the pioneer business men of the metropolis of Wyandotte county and as one of its loyal and public-spirited citizens he well merits a tribute in the historical compilation here offered.
They Parker
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LEMCY TILDEN FOUNDAT
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Thomas Jefferson Barker was born in Bedford county, Virginia, on the 11th of December, 1828, and is a scion of honored families of the historie Old Dominion commonwealth. In Virginia were likewise born his parents, William A. and Sarah (Hobbs) Barker, who passed their entire lives in that state, where the father devoted the major part of his active career to agricultural pursuits. William A. Barker was born in Albemarle county, Virginia, about the year 1796, and his father, Jacob Barker, was born in Richmond, that state, within whose limits was also born the latter's father, James Barker, who served under General Washington in the French and Indian war and who was a participant in the engagement known in history as Braddock's Defeat. The lineage of the Barker-family is traced baek to stanch English origin, as is also that of the Hobbs family. Sarah (Hobbs) Barker, mother of him whose name initiates this review, was born in Bedford county, Virginia, in 1800, and was a daughter of James Hobbs, who immigrated from England to Virginia about the year 1794, and who was a valiant soldier in the war of 1812. William A. Barker was also found enrolled as a soldier in this second conflict with England, and the family name has always stood exponent of the most fervent patriotism, both in times of war and peace. William A. and Sarah (Hobbs) Barker became the parents of seven sons and one daughter, whose names are here entered in respective order of birth: James B., Mary V., Massena C., William E., Andrew L., Thomas J., Francis S. and Joseph G.
Thomas J. Barker was reared to the invigorating discipline of the old homestead plantation in Virginia and his educational advantages were those afforded in the subscription sehools of the locality and period. His receptive mind and his ambition prompted him to make good use of such opportunities as were thus afforded him, as is evident from the fact that in his youth he was for two years a successful teach- er in the schools of his native state. From 1846 to 1851 he was in the employ of a tanner and merchant in Mercer county. Virginia, and he then indulged his spirit of adventure by setting forth for the Isthmus of Panama, with the intention of seenring work in connection with the construction of a canal projected at that time. Illness compelled his return to the east, however, though he reached his destination, and after recuperating his health he engaged in the general merchandise business in Virginia, where he continued to be identified with this line of enter- prise until 1855, in April of which year he came to Kansas and num- bered himself among its early pioneers. From Fort Leavenworth he went out with a government surveying party, in which he assisted in the surveying of the boundary line between Kansas and Nebraska. After being thus engaged for a few months he came to Wyandotte county, and for a short period thereafter he was employed in the old hotel known as the Catfish Ilonse, in Wyandotte. Thereafter he followed various occupations for an interval of several months and then he entered into partnership with Isaiah Walker. one of the pioneer merchants of the town, with whom he continued to be associated in the general merchandise trade from 1856 to 1858. In the latter year he was appointed postmaster of Wyandotte, which village was the nucleus of the present metropolis of Kansas City, this county, and he retained this office until 1863, after which he was identified with steamboating and saw-milling enterprises until 1867, He then engaged in the sup
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plying of railroad ties, and in this enterprise he did a profitable business for several years. Finally he turned his attention to the real-estate and loan business, in which he has since continued and in which his operations have been of wide scope and importance. Through his well directed energies in this important line of enterprise he has contributed much to the development and upbuilding of this section of the state and especially to the progress of Kansas City, whose every interest has lain closely to his heart during the long years of his residence here. ITe has witnessed the transition stages that have marked the npbuilding of a fine industrial and commercial city and the development of one of the most prosperous agricultural counties of the Sunflower state. The business with which he has so long been concerned is now conducted under the firm name of T. J. Barker & Sons, and his associates in the enterprise are his two sons, who are numbered among the progressive and representative business men of Kansas City. Beginning his independent career without capitalistic resources or other fortnitons influences. Mr. Barker pressed steadily forward, availed himself of the opportunities presented, manifested mature judgment in his investments and varions operations and ordered his course according to the highest principles of integrity and honesty, with the result that he has aeenmu- lated a splendid estate, the while he has done his part in furthering general progress and prosperity in the community that has so long been his home and in which his circle of friends is coincident with that of his acquaintances.
Mr. Barker was reared in the faith of the Democratic party and has never wavered in his allegiance to the same. He was a stanch Union man during the climacteric period of the Civil war and he has been an influential factor in public affairs in the state of his adoption, as is shown by the fact that he was elected to represent Wyandotte county in the state legislature in 1866, as was he again in 1880. He brought to bear in this connection the same careful judgment and discrimination that have conserved his snecess in business, and he was a resourceful factor in the prompting of wise and effective legislation. He has been a member of the Masonie fraternity since 1857 and is now the only surviving member of the lodge in which he was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason.
In Wyandotte, as Kansas City, Kansas, was still known at that time. on the 1st of January, 1865, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Barker to Miss Ellen Hall, who was born in the state of New Hampshire and who came with her parents to Kansas in 1857. She is a daughter of John L. and Frances (French) Hall, whose names merit enduring places on the roll of the sterling pioneers of this state, within whose borders they continned to reside until their death. Mr. and Mrs. Barker have two sons,-Thomas Jefferson, Jr., and James Edward. both of whom are associated with their father in business, as has already been noted in this context. The family has been one of prominence and marked popularity in connection with the best social activities of the community. and the attractive home of the honored subject of this review is a favored resort for his wide circle of old and tried friends.
JOHN BUDY .- The United States ranks today as the foremost nation of the civilized world. If has served as the melting pot of the best
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characteristics of all other nations and the outcome is a fine sterling American citizenship, consisting of strong and able bodied men, loyal and public spirited in civic life, broad minded and honorable in business, and alert and enthusiastically in sympathy with every measure tending to further the material welfare of the entire country. The great empire of Germany has contributed its fair quota to the upbuilding of this great nation and among its representatives in this country are to be found successful men in every walk of life from the professions to the prosperous farmers.
John Budy, whose demise occurred on the 3rd of January, 1904, was born at Silesia, Germany, the date of his nativity being the 21st of June, 1848. When death summoned him from the scene of his mortal endeavors he was a prominent and influential citizen of Quindaro town- ship, Wyandotte county, Kansas, where he was engaged in agricultural operations on a fine estate of sixty-nine acres, all of which he raised to a high state of cultivation. He was a son of John and Teresa (Slusser) Budy, both of whom were likewise born and reared in Germany, where the father devoted the major portion of his active career to farming. In the public schools of his native place John Budy received his preli- minary educational training and in 1870, when twenty-three years of age, he decided to immigrate to America. Accordingly he set sail for the United States, being accompanied on the trip by Matilda Hay, whom he married on their arrival in Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1870. Up to the year 1878 Mr. Budy was variously engaged, and in that year he, with his wife and family of four children, came to Wyandotte county, Kansas, locating on the old Hester place, near the water works, in Quindaro township, and residing there until the autumn of 1881, when he purchased a tract of forty acres of land six miles distant from Kan- sas City. This land had been cleared of timber, but was covered with stumps, and the only improvement on the place was a few fruit trees which had been set out. The family moved into a one room log house, which boasted an additional room of rough boards, used as a kitchen, and there they continued to reside until 1901, when their present commo- dious and beautiful home was erected, the same being one of the most attractive places in the county. With the passage of time, Mr. Budy added to his original estate until at the time of his death he was the owner of a fine farm of sixty-nine acres. In the midst of well tilled fields are located fine barns and farm buildings and the general air of thrift which permeates the place well indicates the practical ability of the industrious Budy family. During his life time Mr. Budy devoted his attention to diversified agriculture and the raising of high grade stock. and along those lines of enterprise he achieved most gratifying success. He was a stanch advocate of the Republican party in his political con- victions and was for a number of years the efficient incumbent of the office of road overseer in Quindaro township. He ever manifested a deep and sincere interest in educational affairs and at one time was treasurer of the local school board.
At Leavenworth, Kansas, on June 3, 1870, was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Budy to Miss Matilda Hay, whose birth occurred in Ger- many on the 4th of Angust, 1851, and who is a daughter of Frank and Julia (Longer) Hay, both of Germany. £ Mrs. Budy was reared and educated in Germany and she came to America in 1870, as previously
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noted. Mr. and Mrs. Budy became the parents of twelve children, concerning whom the following brief data are here incorporated : Julia, whose death occurred at the age of ten years; Christina, who is now Mrs. Frank Miller, of Quindaro township; William, who resides at White Church, married Pauline Gabel, at Haraneff, Kansas, in 1904; Anna, who is the wife of Mark Cassidy and who maintains her home at Kansas City, Kansas; Frank, who is farming on the Gibson place, in Quindaro township, married Emily Ballard; Emma, who is Mrs. Nicholas Gable, lives at White Church; John lives near Tonganoxie, where he is engaged in farming, his wife's maiden name being Silvia Muelemester; Mary, is the wife of Ermine Cardene and they live at St. Joseph, Missouri, where he is engineer on a railroad; Joseph is at home, where he has general charge of the estate of his mother; Albert, likewise is at home, as are also Margaret and Martha. All the children were afforded good com- mon school educations in their youth and they are a distinct credit to their honored parents. Mrs. Budy is a woman of most gracious per- sonality and she is deeply beloved by all with whom she has come in contact. In their religious faith the family are devout communicants of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic church at Chelsea, with which the father was affiliated during his lifetime. Mr. Budy was a man of broad and liberal views, considerate of others' opinions and sensibilities, and it has been said concerning him that his charity knew only the bounds of his opportunities. At the time of his death his loss was universally mourned and Quindaro township lost one of her most loyal citizens.
OLIVER B. TROWER .-- Among the representative citizens of Kansas City, Kansas, who have made rapid strides in the way of business pro- gress and development in this section of the state, is Oliver B. Trower, who has here been engaged in the real estate enterprise since 1906. IIe was born in Leavenworth county, Kansas, on the 3rd of April, 1866, and is a son of Thomas Trower, a farmer and a native of Kentucky. He came to Kansas, in 1854, was a member of the first state legislature in Kansas, and was captain of Company B, Nineteenth Kansas during the Civil war, and in Leavenworth county engaged in the great basic indus- try of agriculture and in the raising of high grade stock. In 1886, when Oliver B. Trower was a youth of twenty years of age, removal was made to Kansas City, where father and son became identified with the buying and selling of live stock at the Kansas City stock yards. They built up a good business and continued to be engaged therein until 1891, at which time the father was summoned to eternal rest. Thomas Trower mar- ried Miss Margaret Bivens of Buchanan county, Missouri, in 1848 and they became the parents of eleven children, of whom Oliver B. was the ninth in order of birth. He was reared to maturity on the home farm in his native county and his early educational training consisted of such advantages as were afforded in the distriet sehools.
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