Portrait and biographical album of Washington, Clay and Riley counties, Kansas, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent citizens together with portraits and biographies of all the governors of the state, Part 32

Author:
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Brothers
Number of Pages: 1258

USA > Kansas > Clay County > Portrait and biographical album of Washington, Clay and Riley counties, Kansas, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent citizens together with portraits and biographies of all the governors of the state > Part 32
USA > Kansas > Riley County > Portrait and biographical album of Washington, Clay and Riley counties, Kansas, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent citizens together with portraits and biographies of all the governors of the state > Part 32
USA > Kansas > Washington County > Portrait and biographical album of Washington, Clay and Riley counties, Kansas, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent citizens together with portraits and biographies of all the governors of the state > Part 32

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).

G ABRIEL SCHUETZ is the owner of a fine farm on section 21, Charleston Township, Washington County, where he settled in 1878. lle at that time purchased 160 acres of un improved land, which is now in a fine state of

cultivation and beautified by good buildings and good orchards. There its owner ! as been engaged in the raising of cattle, hogs, etc., and in the ac- cumulation of means that enable him to spend his declining years in comfort, and cessation from hard labor. He is now residing in Hanover, having in the fall of 1889 leased his farm to his sons.

Mr. Sehuetz is of German birth and parentage, and first saw the light Dec. 3, 1832. In 1848, his parents, Henry and Anna Schuetz, with four chil- dren, emigrated to the United States. They settled in Lucas County, Ohio, where the father purchased eighty acres of unimproved land. Their ocean voyage had occupied thirty-two days, and the journey from New York to Ohio was made by rivers, eanal and lakes. The entire trip from their German home, with the exception of twenty miles to the harbor there, was thus made by water. Mr. Schuetz remained about five years upon the land which he first purchased in Ohio. IIe then changed his location to Wood County, of the same State, and again purchased eighty aeres of timber land. where he made his home. He later removed to Seneca, Ohio, where Mrs. Schuetz died. Her hus- band survived for some time, his death oeeurring at the same place in the convent there. Their family consisted of five children: Gabriel, our sub- ject; Mary, who married George King, and resides in Maumee, Ohio; John, who was a member of an Ohio regiment and was killed during the late ('ivil War; Henry, who was also a soldier, and is now residing in Toledo; and Baltsar, of Ilanover, Kan.

The subject of this notice was a boy of twelve years when the family crossed the ocean. and he continued to reside in the State where they settled until his removal to Kansas. On June 25, 1860, he was united in wedlock with Miss Christina Burkbutt. He had no means when he was mar- ried. but accumulated above $2,000 before he left the Buckeye State for the West, to which capital he has added since his arrival in this State.

Mrs. Schuetz was the daughter of John and Catherine Barkhutt, of Prussia, where she was born Nov. 27, 1839. When she was a child of three years the family emigrated to the United States, and settled in Wood County, Ohio. There

296

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

the father died in 1850, leaving three children : Charles, who resides on the homestead; Caroline. who married Peter Hennan, and lives in Perrys- burg, Ohio; and Mrs. Schuetz. The widow mar- ried a second time, the groom being John Hartfield, and now resides in Lucas County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Schuetz are the parents of eleven chil- dren: Charles is a blacksmith at Hanover; Henry resides on a homestead in Sheridan County; John is a resident of the same county; while George, Joseph, Frank, Lena, Edward, William, Leo, and Mary, are at home.

Mr. Schuetz was one of the organizers of the school district in which he lived, and a well built stone school house has his name engraved upon it. He has held school offices, in which he has served with good judgment. He is a Democrat, but in local matters does not adhere to his party, but gives his vote for the man. He is a communicant of the Roman Catholic Church.

G EORGE T. KIPP. Few men of his age have accomplished more then Mr. Kipp, who is approaching his thirty-fourth year, and who is already the owner of 300 acres of prime land, well improved and finely located on section 6. Grant Township. He began his business carcer dependent upon his own resources and his prosper- ity has really been phenomenal. He has a sub- stantial residence, with a good barn and all other necessary outbuildings, and with the exception of his 5-acre orchard. all is fenced and in productive condition. He makes a specialty of stock-raising, keeping graded Norman, Clydesdale and French coach horses, Short-horn cattle and Poland-China swine. His farming operations have been con. ducted with that sound good sense which has characterized all his transactions and he holds a po- sition in his community second to no man, a posi- tion to which he has arisen solely upon his own merits.

A native of Calhoun County, Mich., the subject of this notice was born March 10, 1856, and is

the son of Reuben Kipp, a native of New York State, who emigrated to Michigan during the '30's, and was one of the early settlers of Battle Creek. He married Miss Annie Cosselman, likewise a na- tive of the Empire State and to them were born six children, viz: George T., Rachel, Julius, Nor- man, Hiram and William. All of these are living and located in Kansas, excepting Rachel.

The early education of Mr. Kipp was conducted in the city schools of Kalamazoo, Mich., but when he was thirteen years old his parents, in 1869, re- moved to Charitan County, Mo., where they stayed until the following year, then came to Kansas. Settling in Grant Township the father homesteaded 160 acres on section 5, where he opened up a good farm and died in 1873. The mother survived her husband ten years, passing away in 1883. George T. at an early age asserted his independence by starting out for himself and settled on his present farm in April, 1880. He had a few weeks prior to this on the 28th of February, that same year, been united in marriage with Miss Ella E. Scott, the wedding taking place at the bride's home in Riley County. Mrs. Kipp is the daughter of Rev. Thomas Scott, of Jefferson County, this State. and by her union with our subject has become the mother of two children-Myrtle and Harriet. Mr. Kipp politically. supports the Republican party but has no aspirations for office, making a specialty of at- tending to his own concerns. He has worked hard, managed well, and deserves the prosperity which has attended him. He keeps well informed upon matters of general interest, is more than ordinarily intelligent and a man whose opinions are generally respected.

K ONRAD KIRCHNER. A goodly number of people settled in Bloom Township during the year 1870, and among them came Mr. Kirchner, who took up a tract of raw prai- rie land on sections 6 and 7, which he improved into a good farm where he has since inade his home. His career is similar to that of many others

297

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHIICAL ALBUM.

who emigrated to Northern Kansas, poor in purse but strong in courage, and the results which at- tended so many have likewise displayed themselves in connection with him, he having by his industry and prudence accumulated sufficient of this world's goods to insure him against want in his old age. Born Oct. 25, 1824. he has attained to the sixty- fifth year of his age and can look back upon a life reasonably well spent during which he has endeav- ored to fulfill the obligations of an honest man and a good eitizen, paying his just debts and living at peace among his neighbors.

Mr. Kirchner was born in the Kingdom of Prus- sia and comes of pure German ancestry, being thie son of Henry and Lena (Coleman) Kirchner who spent their entire lives in their native land, the father dying at the age of sixty-six years and the mother at the age of fifty-eight. The paternal grandfather was Mathias Kirchner, likewise a native of Prussia, who died at the advanced age of eighty- six years.

The subject of this sketch was the eldest in a family of two sons and two daughters, all of whom lived to mature years and were married, but only the two sons are now living, the brother of our subject being Christof, who remains in his native land. Christof, as was the father, (a non-commis- sioned officer) was for some years a soldier in the German army and was in the Franco-Prussian War. Konrad lived on the farm with his parents until his marriage, in the spring of 1848, with Miss Louisa, daughter of Ludwig Kopp, the latter of whom was a native of Prussia where he lived and died. pass- ing away at the age of eighty-three years. He like- wise had been a soldier and received a pension from the Government for services rendered during the wars of 1815-16.

Mrs. Kirchner was reared by Catholic parents. Her mother, Mrs. Lena Kopp, died in Prussia at an advanced age. Our subject and his wife in 1850 started for America, taking passage at the port of Bremen on the sailing vessel "Eberhart," and landing seven weeks later in the city of New Or- leans. While on the voyage Mr. Kirchner officiated as cook for 440 passengers. After three months spent in the Crescent City, he worked both in Mis- souri and Illinois, and assisted in building one of

the first railroads constructed in the latter State and running from Chicago to Cairo.

To Mr. and Mrs. Kirchner there have been born nine children, five of whom died young. The sur- vivors are recorded as follows: Katie is the wife of Edward Reed and they live on a farm in Garfield Township; Ellen married Nicholas Dadgen, and they live on a farm in Bloom Township; Martha wedded Jacob Barger. and they live in Morgan- ville; Henry remains with his parents and has the principal charge of the farm. Mr. Kirchner affiliates with the Republican party and both he and his good wife are members of the Catholic Church. When Mr. Kirchner first came to Clay County there was no post-office in Bloom Township except a meal bag suspended from a pole, in which the "Star Route" agent would drop the mail once a week as be passed by.

AMES H. BOSTON. This gentleman is the owner and occupant of a fine farm on section 32, Highland Township, Washington County. It comprises 190 acres, under thorough cultivation, and supplied with every nee- essary and convenient arrangement in the way of farm buildings. Its owner has for many years been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and is a thorough farmer.

The parents of our subject, John and Sallie (Woodard ) Boston, were married and settled in Kentucky. The mother died in Barren County. Ky., and the father in Metcalf County. Mr. Bos- ton was born either in Virginia or New Jersey, and his wife was probably a native of Kentucky. They had a family of eleven children, our subjeet being the eighth.

James H. Boston was born in Barren County, Ky., but his youth was spent in Metcalf County, where he lived until twenty years of age. Ile then went to Madison County. Iowa. where he worked on a farm about two years. Thence removing to Warren County, Ill., he was a resident there for , six years. The following five years were spent in

298

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

Gage County, Neb., where he was the owner of a good farm. At the expiration of that time he sold and removed to this county, settling in Highland Township, in the spring of 1882.

In Warren County, Ill., Jan. 4, 1874, Mr. Bos- ton celebrated his marriage to Miss E. Kate Van- tuyl. She was a native of Henderson County. Ill., and has borne her husband eight children. They are named respectively : John I., Eugene, Eliza- beth, Ira L., Etta M., Ona, Otto, and Adaline.

Mr. Boston is a Democrat and firm in his party faith. Mrs. Boston is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Boston bears the reputation of an upright and trustworthy man and good citizen, and as such is esteemed by all who know him.

M ELANCTHON SOLT is one of the heavy grain and stock dealers of Washington County. He is the owner of a steam grain elevator at Barnes, where he carries on his business, and handles as much grain and stock as any man in the county. He is the possessor of large means, and the owner of considerable real estate. In Fairfield County, Ohio, where he form- erly lived, he has 220 acres of valuable land, and owns a fine farm two and a half miles north of Barnes. Here he resides, having his farm carried on, while he attends to his business in town. Ile is a man of the strictest morality, and of high mental and business capacity, and altogether a citizen of whom Washington County may be proud.

Mr. Solt was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, Ang. 18, 1833, He was reared to manhood in his native county, receiving the advantages supplied by the common schools, and the training of a farmer's son. He engaged in the pursuit of agriculture, and remained a resident,of his native county until No- vember, 1884, at which period he removed to Wat- erville, Kan. In the following spring, however, he removed to this connty, and engaged in the busi- ness which he still carries on in Barnes.

The father of our subject was born in Lehigh County, Pa., in 1797. Ile removed to Fairfield County, Ohio, when twenty-one years of age, and

there died in 1883. Ilis occupation was that of a farmer, and at the time of his death he was in good financial circumstances. From early manhood he was a member of the Lutheran Church. In politics he was a Whig, and afterward a Repub- lican. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Saloma Brobst. She was born in Berks County, Pa., in 1804, and died in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1880. She bore her husband eight chil- dren named respectively: Catherine, Cornelius, Elizabeth. Peter, Melancthon, Mary, Lavina, and Moses.

He of whom we write, was united in marriage with Miss Laura O. Brandt, of Fairfield County, Ohio, Dec. 28, 1870. She is a daughter of John and Sarahı (Gessell) Brandt, and was born in Fair- field County, in 1846. Both her parents are also natives of the Buckeye State. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Solt has been blessed by the birth of four children: Linnaeus C., Clarence J., Luther M., and Sarah S.

Mr. Solt is a believer in the principles of the Re- publican party, to which he gives a hearty support. He has been for several years a member of the Lutheran Church. His large means and business ability, but most of all his fine mind and character, give him an influence in the community, which few men exert; and this influence is exerted for the future prosperity and moral elevation of Washing- ton County.

AMES JANSON. As one of the solid build- ing stones in an intelligent and well regu- lated community, Mr. Janson is filling his niche acceptably, being a plain, practical man, clear-headed, public-spirited, and fairly well- to-do, financially. He is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a Republican politically and has served as Assessor of I'nion Township several times. He has been for a number of years a School Director in his district, and since his residence in Union Township has uniformly evinced a warm interest in the common welfare of the people. In the cultivation of his farm he has

299

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHIICAL ALBUM.

displayed good judgment and persevering industry and surrounded his family with all the comforts of life.

The landed possessions of Mr. Janson comprise the southwest quarter of section 8, township 9. range 3 east. Ile is a Canadian by birth, his na- tive place being in the city of Leeds, Province of Ontario, where he first saw the light Dec. 26, 1846. Ile lived here until a youth of eighteen years, at- tending the common school and receiving careful home training from excellent parents. Then leaving the Dominion he emigrated to Lorain County, Ohio, where he put into practice his knowledge of station- ary engineering and was thus occupied for a num- ber of years in the Buckeye State, mainly in a stone quarry and a saw-mill.

In December, 1881, the attention of Mr. Janson having been called to the desirability of Northern Kansas as a place of residence and successful agri- culture, he came to Clay County and securing his present farm has given his attention to its cultiva- tion and improvement. He has seventy-five acres under the plow and sixty aeres in pasturage, Along the creek is a healthy growth of timber. His build- ings without being pretentious are all that is need- ful for comfort, and the whole premises present a picture of quiet country life which is pleasant to look upon.

On the 2d day of October, 1873, Mr. Janson took unto himself a wife and helpmate, Miss Ella M., a daughter of Samuel Rice, at that time a resi- dent of Millville, Wis. The Rice family were for- merly from Lorain County, Ohio, but the father emigrated to Wisconsin, where he married and where Mrs. Janson was born Oct. 9, 1854. Her childhood and youth passed in a comparatively uneventful manner in attendance at the district school and in assisting ber mother in the household duties. She remained under the parental roof un- til leaving it to become mistress of her own home. This little household now includes three children -- Herbert, William and Ruby.

The father of our subject was William Janson who was born in the city of London, England, and who emigrated when a youth with his parents to Canada, they settling in the town of Leeds. He there developed into manhood. in the meantime

acquiring a first-class education and evincing more than ordinary talent for the capacity of a teacher. At an early period he adopted this profession and followed it successfully the remainder of hus life. Ile was a man of quiet tastes, scholarly habits and much culture. Ile lived to a ripe old age, passing away at his home in Leeds in 1876.

William Janson was married in Leeds, Province of Ontario, to Miss Mary, daughter of James Smith. Mrs. Janson was born and reared in the above-men- tioned town and was of excellent ancestry. Her father was born in Paisley, Scotland, where he learned the weaver's trade and became the manu- facturer of the well-known Paisley shawls. He emi- grated to Canada when a comparatively young man. settling in Leeds where he spent the remainder of his days, dying in 1868 in the eighty-fifth year of his age. The widowed mother is still living making her home in Leeds. James of this sketch was the second of ten children born to his parents and who were named respectively, William, James, Margaret, Robert, Frederick. Ebenezer. John, Emeline, Eliz- abeth and Ella. Three of these are living, resid- ing mostly in Canada.

C HARLES HAGENMAIER. The gentleman with whose name we introduce this sketch is of German birth and ancestry, well ed- ucated, possessing a great amount of enterprise and energy and has one of the best farms in Swede Creek Township comprising 320 acres of prime land on section 20. Prior to settling in this part of the New World, he had traveled largely over the East- ern Hemisphere, visiting many of the chief points of interest in Europe, and the gold fields of Aus- tralia. He is more than ordinarily public spirited and liberal, progressive in his ideas and in all re- spects a valuable member of his community.

The subject of this sketch was born in the old city of Ulm, on the west bank of the Danube River, in the Kingdom of Wurtemburg. Germany, Nov. 3rd, 1834. He attended school at the gymnasium where he studied the languages until fourteen years

300

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

old and then became a clerk in the Commission House of Exchange in Ulm. Later he was var- iously occupied until a man of twenty-seven years. He determined then to see something of the world and in September, 1861 started from Rotterdam to Liverpool, England, where he embarked on the sailing vessel " Merlin " and sailed for Australia, via the Cape of Good Hope, being seventy-eight days on the voyage. In the vicinity of Melbourne he worked on a farm for about three weeks, then struck out for the gold fields in Ballarag, where he prospected for a time and then entered the employ of a company engaged in quartz mining. In the meantime he learned to read and speak the English language and later, in partnership with two others, began mining on his own hook. They followed this for some time with not very satisfac- tory results until one day suddenly coming upon a nugget of pure gold, weighing twenty pounds, each share holder realizing about 82,000.

Mr. Hagenmaier now felt quite well repaid for his three year's labor and returned to his native land through France after which he traveled around and lived at his ease for a year in Ulm. In the fall of 1865 he set out for America, leaving Hamburg on the steamer " Hammonia " bound for New York City. Thence he proceeded to St. Louis, Mo., where. he spent the following winter. He had now partially resolved to visit the Pacific Slope, but finally changed his mind and in the spring of 1866, came to Northern Kansas and for one year employed himself at whatever he could find to do. In 1867 he homesteaded 160 acres of land, pur- chasing the improvements upon it for $100. He took possession of his property and began farming in true pioneer style, living in a log house and breaking his land with an ox team. The years which followed were filled in with arduous toil under many difficulties, but labor brought its own reward and Mr. Hagenmaier in due time found himself the owner of a fine farm of 320 acres, all of which he has brought to a good state of cultivation and planted thereon fruit and forest trees, besides erecting buildings and gathering about himself and his family all the comforts and conveniences of modern life. The residence is a very pretty structure, built of stone and erected in 1887. His apple

orchard contains about 300 trees and he has about one acre of grapes. The land is amply watered from Otter Creek and is largely devoted to stock raising.

Coming to this section a bachelor, Mr. Hagen- maier in due time met his fate in the person of Miss Wilhelmina Vogelsang, to whom he was married in Swede Creek Township, Jan. 5th, 1869. This lady was born in the Kingdom of Westphalia. July 4th. 1848, and came to America with her parents when nineteen years old. She is now the mother of eight children, viz: Gustav, Ida, Charles, Jr., William, Emma, Emil, Thekla and Bertha. Ida is the wife of E. Evans, a farmer of Riley County, this State. The other children are at home with their parents. Mr. Hagenmaier is a straight Republican, politi- cally, and is serving his second term as School Treasurer. He has been Road Supervisor a number of years.

The father of our subject was Jolin Hagenmaier, likewise a native of the city of Ulm, Germany, and a man of fine talents, an artist, who taught drawing in the high schools and colleges of his native city. There he spent his entire life, dying in 1887 when seventy-five years old. He married Miss Catherine Schultes who was born, reared and educated in Ulm . and died there prior to the decease of her husband. Only three of the five children born to them are living. Thekla became the wife of Charles Loer- cher and remains a resident of her native place. Charles, our subject was the next eldest. Bertha who was the widow of Louis Nosco, is living in this township and is now married to Casper Eck.

C HARLES H. HARMON. Among the thrifty and prosperous farmers of Brantford Township, Mr. Harmon is worthy of special mention. He is a man who makes it a point to be sure that he is right and then goes ahead. Without political aspirations he yet keeps himself well posted upon matters of general interest to the in- telligent citizen and uniformly gives his support to the Republican party, in the principles of which he is a thorough believer. He lives quietly and un-

301

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

ostentatiously, contenting himself with farming pursuits, raising a goodly assortment of live stock. buying, feeding and shipping also.

The subject of this sketeli is a native of Vermont and was born Aug. 14, 1836. lle was reared on a farm by parents in moderate circumstances and only received a limited education, being required to assist his parents in the labor of maintaining the family. When a young man of twenty years he left the hills of the Green Mountain State, pro- ceeding to New York City and thence to Pewakee. Wis. The following year he crossed the Mississip- pi, coming to the Territory of Kansas and settling near the embryo town of Paris, Linn County. Here he occupied himself in farming amid the ad- verse circumstances under which Kansas was labor- ing at that time, being in an uproar during the troubles prior to the outbreak of the Civil War. Young Harmon acted as one of the Home Guard at a time when both life and property were in jeopardy. In the meantime he filed several claims on land, selling out each time, usually with profit. Hle maintained his residence there until after the outbreak of the Civil War and on the 24th of January, 1862, enlisted as a I'nion soldier in Com- pany E, 6th Kansas Cavalry, llis regiment was assigned to service in Missouri, Arkansas and the Indian Nation, and participated in many battles. Mr. Harmon served out his term of enlistment which expired in February 1865 and was mustered out at Clarksville, Ark., where he received his honorable discharge and was given his pay at Cairo, 111.

Upon leaving the army Mr. Harmon returned to the place where he had enlisted, and in March of the same year went on a visit to lowa. He staid there two seasons engaged in breaking prairie. In 1867 he returned to Republic County, Kan., com- menced again the filing process and also engaged in breaking prairie. In 1870 he went into Jewell County and took up a homestead upon which he remained seven years. Then selling out once more he took up his line of march for Washington County and purchased the land which he now owns and occupies. This was school land and he paid therefor $3 per acre. It was 120 acres in extent and by great perseverance and industry Mr. Har-

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.

Portrait and biographical album of Washington, Clay and Riley counties, Kansas, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent citizens together with portraits and biographies of all the governors of the state, Part 32

Author: Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Brothers Number of Pages: 1258

Author:
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Brothers
Number of Pages: 1258