USA > Kansas > Wyandotte County > Kansas City > Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. Historical and biographical. Comprising a condensed history of the state, a careful history of Wyandotte County, and a comprehensive history of the growth of the cities, towns and villages > Part 61
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Allen Garner has devoted his attention to agriculture and horti- culture in Wyandotte County, Kas., since the spring of 1872, and al- though the farm on which he located was almost a wilderness, it has been brought to a fine state of cultivation, and yields large crops. He was born in Missouri, in October, 1829, his brothers and sisters being as follows: Mary (who resides in Kansas), Hannah (who resides at Osawatomie, Kas.), Louisa (who resides in Franklin, County, Kas.), and
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Harry (who makes his home with his brother Allen). The parents of these children were both born in Missouri, and are now deceased. The early education of Allen Garner was obtained mostly at night school, but it was a meager one indeed. Notwithstanding this fact, he is the friend of all educational institutions, and firmly believes in the educa- tion of the masses. His marriage, which occurred in January, 1862, was to Miss Anna Patterson, a native of Missouri, and to them the following family of children were born: William (who died in infancy), Allen (aged twenty-six, farming with his father), Frances (who is twenty-four, resides with her parents, and is a young lady of excellent attainments; her early education was received in the common schools, after which she took a course in the graded schools of Kansas City, Kas., and at Lawrence, Kas., and is now one of the successful school teachers of the county), Mary (aged twenty-two, and is now at- tending the high school of Kansas City), Alma (aged twenty-one), James (aged nineteen), Lenora (aged sixteen), Lillie (aged fourteen), Miranda (aged twelve), Victoria (aged eleven) and Birt (aged eight). Mr. Garner is a stanch Republican, and has always endeavored to support men of principle and honor, his first presidential vote being cast for Gen. U. S. Grant. Mrs. Garner is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and both are earnest supporters of principles which tend to elevate mankind, and instill in them the nobler feelings and aspirations. They have always given liberally of their means to worthy enterprises, and have ever been found ready and willing to lend a helping hand to those less fortunate than themselves. Mr. Garner has seen the remarkable growth of Wyandotte County, for although he came thither later than a great many, yet the country was compara- tively unsettled, and but little cultivation of the land had been done. Kansas City, Kas., was a town of 5,000, but now contains over 40,000 souls, and remarkable improvements in other respects have been made since he located there. Although he and his worthy wife have passed through many hardships since emigrating thither, they have on the whole been happy, prosperous and contented. He is now the owner of sixty acres of land lying within a mile and a half of the city limits of Kansas City, and although he has been offered large sums of money for it, has invariably refused to sell, for on this place he wishes to spend his declining years, with his wife and children.
Albert Garnier, Sr., horticulturist, Kansas City, Kas. Mr. Garnier needs little or no introduction to the people of Wyandotte County, for he is well and favorably known throughout its length and breadth.
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He was born in Baden, Germany, near the city of Strasburg, February 19, 1836, and was fifth in order of birth of ten children-five sons and five daughters-six now living. The mother had been married three times, first to Mr. Garnier, then to Mr. Hammaly, and her third marriage was to Mr. Knene. To the first union there are three chil- dren living: Barbara (resides in Illinois), Jacob (married and resides in Centralia, Ill., is a wagon-maker by trade), and our subject. Of the second union two children are living: Anna, and Stephonie (who resides in St. Louis, and is the wife of Charles Stock, who is a cigar-maker by trade). Of the third union only one child is living: Frederick (married and resides in Omaha, where he is following the trade of a cigar-maker). The father of our subject was a native of Alsace, was an officer in the French army, under Napoleon Bonaparte, and was present at the burning of Moscow, Russia. He has been dead fifty- three years. The mother was a native of Baden, and was a lady of education and refinement. The father was a fine brick manufacturer, and his place, which was quite extensive, was torn down during the Revolution, and on the site a large fort was erected. The large estate was lost during the war, and part was confiscated, while the remainder was small indeed for division. The mother died in Centralia, Ill., and her remains are interred in the Prairie State. Albert Garnier re- ceived his education principally in German schools, and in 1857 he emigrated from his native land, landed in New Orleans, La., after a tempestuous and terrible voyage of ninety days on a sailing vessel. There were ten in his party, and yellow fever took off nine of these. He came to Centralia, Ill., worked in the Illinois Central Railroad shops for several years, and from Centralia he entered the United States service, working three years for Uncle Sam, as a blacksmith on board the transports or gunboats on the Mississippi River. He was honorably discharged, after having served his full time of service. After the war he engaged in business, became the owner of a nice tract of land, but he invested with a dishonest partner, and thus lost nearly all he had saved. He emigrated to Kansas City, Mo., in 1866, and Angust 6 of the same year he was married to Miss Johanna Tex- tor, in Carlyle, Ill., by Rev. Secard, in the German Catholic Church. Mrs. Garnier was born June 24, 1849, in Minchen, Germany [see sketch of John A. Textor]. She is a lady endowed with great busi- ness tact, intelligence and acumen. She is highly in favor of all issues which are progressive. She has an excellent mind, and has by her industry and frugality aided her husband greatly in accumulating
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their now large fortune, most of which they have earned by their own hard toil, industry and good business management united. Unto this marriage have been born seven children-five sons and two daughters: Albert J. (resides in Kansas City, Kas., and is a practical electrician; his place of business is 515 Minnesota Avenue; he is the gentleman who had charge of all the principal electrical work in the principal buildings in Wyandotte and Kansas City, Kas., he is a young man of more than ordinary genius as an electrician, and stands on the top- most round of the ladder of success in that capacity), Frank (is a book-keeper and salesman for William Volker & Co., of Kansas City, Mo. ; he is well educated and is a gentleman of business), Elizabeth (is a well educated young lady, and is a musician, being well informed in this especial accomplishment), William J. (is an apprentice to his brother learning the profession of an electrician; he is an able assist- ant to his brother, and is also a practical key and locksmith), George (who is thirteen years of age, is attending school), Ernest (who is nine years of age, is also attending school), and Rosina (died in infancy). Mr. and Mrs. Garnier are great supporters and ardent friends of education. In his political views Mr. Garnier affiliates with the Democratic party, but he has never been an active politician. He has aimed to support men of principle and integrity. Mr. and Mrs. Garnier and children are members of the German Catholic Church, and they contribute liberally to all worthy movements. As mentioned above they came to Kansas City, Mo., in 1866, remained there four years, purchased a lot, erected a small house, and with $200 which they had saved, were prepared to launch out in life once more. About this time the boom came in Kansas City, Mo., and they sold their property for $1,400, in trade for the property, that is thirteen acres of it, where they now reside, the balance was bought at $50 and $65 per acre in 1870. They moved on this when the country was almost a wilderness in many portions, and the land consisting of twenty-one and one-eighth acres, is now all under cultivation, and very valuable. They will not take $1,000, per acre for their home at present, and it is only a short time until they will realize much more than $1,000 per acre. They have a neat and comfortable frame residence, good out- buildings, and they raise the following kinds of fruit: Apples, peaches, pears, cherries, Siberian crabs, and plenty of small fruit viz. : Straw- berries, raspberries, currants, gooseberries, etc. Of grapes he has different varieties, but he has two acres in Concords. They have about six acres in fine, valuable fruits. Mr. and Mrs. Garnier expect
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to make Wyandotte County their future home, where they are held in the highest regard for their sterling worth and integrity.
Dr. J. O. Gaskill, druggist, Argentine, Kas. It is to the skill and science of the druggist that suffering humanity looks for alleviation of pain. The physician may successfully diagnose, but it is the chem- ist who prepares the remedy. When, therefore, as in the case of the gentleman whose name forms the subject of this sketch, the two pro- fessions, namely, that of the physician as well as that of the druggist, are combined, how doubly important becomes the establishment con- ducted by Dr. J. O. Gaskill. This gentleman was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, on March 29, 1853, and is the son of Andrew and Su- sanna (Lacey) Gaskill, the father a native of England, and the mother of Ohio. Andrew Gaskill was a man of fine intellect, and taught school in the old country. He died when about thirty-two years of age. The mother is also deceased. They were the parents of five children, Dr. Gaskill being next to the youngest in order of birth. He was principally reared in Sullivan County, Ind., where he received his education, and began the study of medicine at an early age, gradu- ating at Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1881. After this he be- gan practicing in Plattsburg, Ind., but only remained there six months, although he practiced his profession in the State until May 1, 1884. He then came to Argentine, Kas., engaged in the drug business, and this he has since carried on. He carries a full line of goods, and is doing a flourishing business. He has retired from his profession, and has turned his attention exclusively to the drug business. He selected as his companion in life Miss Clara Evans, a native of Iowa, and was married to her in 1888. Dr. Gaskill is a member of the City Council, and is also a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge.
Charles J. Gebauer. Among the more recent acquisitions to the busi- ness interests of Kansas City, Kas., the drug establishment of which Mr. Gebauer is proprietor has taken a place that one might well think belonged to an older established house. It was July 15, 1888, that he became located at this point, and the stock of goods he carries is only to be found in well-kept, reliable stores. His knowledge of the business was learned in the city of St. Louis, Mo., where he was born April 25, 1859, both his parents dying before he was two years of age. Thus left an orphan he was placed in the family of F. W. Heinig, where he had a good home until he reached the age of eighteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Heinig, acting as his foster parents, sent him to the Lutheran parochial schools of St. Louis, and otherwise cared for him as though
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he was a child of their own. Mr. Heinig was a druggist, and in his establishment Mr. Gebauer clerked, when not at school, from the time he was old enough until he was eighteen. At that age, or in the fall of 1878, he entered the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and in this institution he completed a full course of pharmacy, graduating July 1, 1880. In the fall of the same year he came west and for about nine months was in the drug store of Aldrich & Brown, in Wichita, Kas., from which place he went to Leadville, Colo., and was employed as drug clerk there for about nine months. In 1882 he re- turned to Kansas, and accepted a situation as a clerk in the drug es- tablishment at Topeka of A. J. Arnold, but becoming dissatisfied with that location he, at the end of a year, became an employe of the Myer Brothers' Drug Co., Kansas City, Mo., five and one-half years being spent in their employ. Prior to this he had successfully established two drug stores which are still in existence and in a flourishing con- dition. He next, as above mentioned, established his present store at No. 1612 North Fifth Street, Kansas City, Kas., his place being known as the "L" Pharmacy. He has devoted his attention to the drug business all his life, and is now one of the most competent pharma- cists in the city. His well known knowledge of the business, together with his courteous and accommodating manner, has enabled him to build up a good patronage, and he has also won a large circle of warm friends. He is a purely self-made young man, and owes his success to his good habits and his own personal energy. His establishment is conducted in a business-like manner, and is one of the best in the city. He is a member of the Kansas Pharmaceutical Association, and the Missouri Pharmaceutical Association. On October 5, 1887, he was married to Miss Louisa Gebauer, of Troy, Ill., who, although she bore the same name as her husband, belonged to an entirely different fam- ily, and was not related to him in any way. Mr. and Mrs. Gebauer have a son, Arthur, who was born September 2, 1888.
Andrew Geiger, fruit-grower, Argentine, Kas. Mr. Geiger, one of the prominent fruit-growers of Shawnee Township, came to Wyan- dotte County, Kas., in 1861, settled on his present farm in 1866, and is now the owner of eighty acres of choice bluff land. On this he has planted as follows: 400 apple trees of some of the best varieties, 30 peach trees, of different varieties, 30 cherry trees, 400 grapevines, a great many blackberry and raspberry bushes, one-half acre in straw- berries, 10 acres in potatoes, one-half acre in cabbage, one acre in sweet potatoes, and the balance in meadow and timber. He improved
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his place very much, erected a nice, comfortable residence, and has been unusully successful. When he first settled on his farm it was wild land covered with timber, and at one time belonged to an Indian family. The farm is now valued at $800 per acre. He associated with the Indians for about ten years, and always found them peace- ful in their relations. Mr. Geiger is of foreign birth, having been born in Germany, on October 23, 1823, and is the son of F. Geiger, natives also of that country. Onr subject remained in his native country until twenty-nine years of age, and then on April 29, 1852, he landed in the United States, going direct to Cincinnati, Ohio. Later he spent considerable time in traveling from place to place, visiting all the important cities, both North and South, and finally, in 1861, he settled in this State. On March 4, 1864, he was married to Miss Charlotte Borke, a native of Germany, born in 1830. [See sketch of brother. ] They have three children: August, William and Frederick. Mr. Geiger is a Republican in his political views, and himself and family are members of the German Methodist Episcopal Church. He is an excellent citizen, and like all his countrymen, is honest and industrious.
Joseph Godard is a native of France, and came to the United States in 1863, and has been a resident of Wyandotte County, Kas., since 1866, purchasing, the same year, his present farm of forty acres of Rogers, an Indian chief. This land was well timbered, and Mr. Godard immediately set himself to work to improve it, and was en- gaged in farming until 1876, when he followed the lead of his neigh bors and commenced raising vegetables, making a specialty of pota- toes. He has found this a very profitable business, and almost every year devotes twelve acres to the Early Ohio, the average yield being 115 bushels to the acre. One acre is given to the raising of Flat Dutch cabbage, which produces about 20,000 heads, and he also raises an early variety of sweet corn, and one acre to the Yellow Jersey sweet potatoes. Although his farm is small, it is an excellent size for the business which is now receiving his attention, and being fertile and carefully tilled, it yields a larger annual income than many larger farms. Mr. Godard was born in 1835, and was reared to manhood in the country of his birth, becoming familiar with farm duties during his minority. Before emigrating to this country he was married to Miss Madeline Summers, and to them a family of two children have been born: Alfred, and Jennie (wife of Joseph Momie). Alfred was born on December 18, 1865, on his father's home place in this county,
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and here he has attained manhood. He was married in 1888, to Miss Irma Godard, and he and his father are liberal in their political views, and vote for the man rather than with any party. They belong to the Catholic Church at Argentine, and have always been public-spirited, charitable and law-abiding citizens.
C. H. Gordon (colored), one of the prominent and much respected citizens of Kansas City, Kas., was originally from Todd County, Ky., his birth occurring near Elkton, in 1834 -a slave. He was nineteen years of age when he moved to Clay County, Mo., and after residing there for some time, moved to Carroll and then Ray County. He came from the last-named county to Kansas, and was a slave until the fall of 1863, when he ran away from his owner and joined the army. He served until 1866, was in the first battle with Gen. Price during the memorable raid in Kansas, was at Bridgeport, Ala., Island No. 10, and was on the gunboat, "James White," when she sank. He was wounded at Island No. 10, and for this reason can do but little manual labor. For many years he received a pension of $4 per month from the United States Government, but this has been in- creased to $6 per month. His last battle was at Nashville. He was stationed at Huntsville, Ala., until mustered out of service, was a brave soldier, and served his country faithfully and well. Return- ing to Kansas City after the war, he started out in life a free man, and is now engaged in the real estate business. He has accumulated con- siderable wealth, and is now the owner of sixteen or seventeen lots in town. His marriage with Miss Rosa Gordon, a native of Missouri, who was also a slave at one time, occurred in Kansas City, and the fruits of this union have been three children: Susan, Gracy and Mamie. Mr. Gordon is a stanch Republican in politics, and always votes that ticket. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Dr. George M. Gray was born in Waukegan, Ill., March 4, 1856, to R. M. and Susan (Doust) Gray, the former a native of Rhode Island and the latter of Massachusetts. They are now residing in Quindaro, Wyandotte County, Kas., whither they moved in 1858. Dr. George M. Gray is the third of their four children, all of whom are living, and since his second year he has been a resident of Wyan- dotte County, Kas., and is therefore well known to its citizens. His early education was acquired in the public schools, and at the age of nineteen years he secured the position of clerk in T. J. Eaton's drug store in Kansas City, Mo., but at the end of two years he began the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. E. W. Schauffler,
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remaining with him three years, during this time completing a course in the Kansas City Medical College, then known as the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Kansas City. He graduated in March, 1879, and in the fall of that year entered the Bellevue Hospital Medi- cal College, of New York City, from which he was graduated in March, 1880. He at once located in Kansas City, Kas., where be has since devoted his time and attention to the practice of his profes- sion, and of this city he is now a leading physician. He was mar- ried, November 21, 1881, to Miss Carrie E. Harlan, a native of Mar- shall, Ill., and is a daughter of Howard and Minerva Z. (Byers) Har- lan, and their marriage has resulted in the birth of four children: Alfred H., a son that died in infancy, Mary A. and Ruth M. Of those named Alfred H., is also deceased. The Doctor is an Odd Fel- low, a Republican, and has served one term of two years as coroner of Wyandotte County, and for five years has been county physician, being now the incumbent of the office. He is a member of the East- ern District Medical Society, the Kansas State Medical Society, and is one of the surgeons to St. Margaret's Hospital.
David J. Griest is a well-known lumber dealer and a prominent and honored citizen of Kansas City, Kas. He was born in Chester County, Penn., January 24, 1836, to Jacob and Rebecca (Weaver) Griest, their births also occurring there, he being the fourth of six children born to them, four of this family being now alive. The mother of these children died in 1841, and their father afterward married Miss Mary Phillips, her death occurring in 1871, and his in 1869. David J. Griest spent his youth and early manhood in his native State, his summers being devoted to farm labor, and his winters to attending the district school near his home. Upon attaining his fourteenth year he hired out as a farmer's boy, but at the age of sixteen years he began learning the carpenter's trade, and served a three-years' ap- prenticeship under William Ross, of Lancaster County, Penn. For one year after his apprenticeship was completed he worked at his trade, under instruction, in the State of Maryland, but in 1856 came west, to Warsaw, Ill., and was there engaged in working at his trade until after the close of the presidential campaign of that year, when he went to Memphis, Tenn., and in that place and vicinity he spent about eight months. In 1857 he returned to Illinois, and made his home in the town of Bloomington until the spring of 1859, at which time he went to Pike's Peak, Colo., and during the nine years which followed he was chiefly engaged in the freighting business throughout
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Colorado, Utah, Montana and California, at the same time giving some attention to mining. In the latter part of 1867 he returned to his old home in Chester County, Penn., and was there married, on New Year's day, 1868, to Miss Sarah Mathews, an old sweetheart. Soon after this event he removed to Leavenworth, Kas., and during a two years' residence there was engaged in stock dealing. In 1870 he re- moved to Jefferson County, Kas., where he tilled the soil until 1872, then formed a partnership with Robert Garrett, of Leavenworth, in the lumber business, and from that time until 1881 their interests were in Winchester, where they operated a first-class yard, and did a good business. Since the last-named date he has been a resident of Kansas City, Kas., and the firm, which is composed of himself and Robert Garrett, has one of the best and most successfully conducted lumber yards in the city. Their business partnership has existed for about eighteen years, and their relations have always been most amicable and harmonious. Mr. and Mrs. Griest are the parents of seven chil- dren: Harry, Jessie, Sue, Edith, Frankie, Chester and Jennie. Mr. Griest is a stanch Republican, is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, and socially, belongs to the A. F. & A. M. and the I. O. O. F. He has always devoted his attention strictly to the management of his business affairs, and has been correspondingly prosperous. He pos- sesses excellent habits, and is highly respected by all.
G. M. Griffin is the proprietor of the Club Stables of Kansas City Kas .; was born in Blue-Grass soil, October 5, 1858, and until he was thirteen years of age, his home was in his native State, his parents then moving to Newton County, Mo., where they made their home for six years, then returned to Kentucky and took up their residence at Bardstown Junction, in Bullitt County, and here G. M. Griffin made his home until he attained his majority. Prior to his thirteenth year, he had attended the schools of Danville, but that was all the school- ing he received. The father, Cary A. Griffin, was a Virginian, but after he had attained his eighteenth year he removed to Kentucky and settled in Greene County, where he followed the occupation of a farmer and tobacco raiser, being also a merchant of the latter, and pressed nearly all the tobacco raised in that section of the State. Cary A. Griffin, the father of George M., lost his fortune by embark- ing in the cotton business, just prior to a time which proved disas- trous to all who had means largely invested in that staple. The age of sixty-five years found himself penniless, or nearly so, with a fam- ily of four sons and four daughters. He then came west, locating in
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Newton County, Mo., but the separation from his old friends and the hardships of the West were so detrimental to his health that his family took him back to Kentucky, but he only lived a year and a half. Dur- ing this time G. M. Griffin and his brother, R. M., had the care of the family, but after the death of their father, they again came West with their mother, four sisters and one brother, and for three years made their home in Dade County, Mo. G. M. Griffin was fortunate in raising a large crop, but sold it and went to Chicago with his sister, who secured employment with the Bradstreet Mercantile Company, and he acted as shipping clerk for Iveson, Blakemon, Taylor & Co., remain- ing with them twelve months. Shortly after, he came to Kansas City, then went to Texas for a grain commission company, and was in that State two years. He then left them to take charge of Vale, Minor & Co.'s stage line, from Caldwell, Kas., to Fort Reno, Indian Terri- tory, and had charge of the same during the star-route troubles. After following this occupation for thirteen months, he built a stable in Fort Reno, and after conducting the same with success for two years, he came to Kansas City, where he has since lived. He was in the employ of the Kansas City Cable Railway for eighteen months, the "L" Rail- road for fourteen months, and has since devoted his attention to his present business, which is prospering. He has over fifty boarding horses, besides sixteen head of his own, and all are in excellent condi- tion, and are ever found ready for use, and his conveyances and vehi- cles correspond. He is a painstaking, energetic and enterprising gen- tleman, and under his supervision there is little doubt but that his establishment will be even more popular than it already is. His mar- riage, which took place in Kansas City, Mo., in 1886, was to Miss Maggie P. Gentry, and by her he has two children: Ella and George M., Jr. His wife is a Kentuckian, and is a member of the Gentry family, well known in that State and in Missouri. Mr. Griffin's great- grandfather was born in Wales, and at an early day came to America and settled in Virginia. Mr. Griffin is a Democrat.
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