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 80
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eight years of age), William, and Margaret (twins, aged seven years), Margaret died at the age of five weeks), Henrietta (died at the age of nine months), and Elizabeth (died in infancy). Mr. and Mrs. Scha- berg have been residents of Kansas City, Kas., ever since Mr. Scha- berg entered the Keystone Iron Works, and expect to make that city their home. There Mr. Schaberg can always secure a lucrative posi- tion on account of his excellent business ability.
John Schlagenhauf is one of the well-to-do farmers of Wyandotte, County, Kas., and since 1868 has resided on the farm of sixty two and one half acres near Kansas City. He was born in Wirtemburg, Ger- many, on September 4, 1834, being the eldest of a family of five chil- dren born to his parents, his brothers and sisters being as follows: Martin (who still resides in his native land), Christian (a miller by trade), Mary and Rosina, all residents of Germany. The father of these children was a German, and was a fairly prosperous tiller of the soil. John Schlagenhauf attended the schools of his native land for eight years, and at the age of twenty years commenced life for himself, his capital at that time being very meager indeed. In the spring of 1854 he determined to seek his fortune in America, and after reaching New York City, went direct to Ohio, where he followed the occupation of farming until 1868, since which time he has been a worthy resident of Wyandotte County, and one of the first farmers of this section, a calling to which he was reared. He was married on March 2, 1862, to Miss Adaline Reimel, a native of Alsace, Germany, her education be- ing received in the schools of " Der Faterland," and in the State of Ohio. To them two danghters were born: Rosa T. (the wife of J. A. Wetherla), and Mary (who is an intelligent and aimable young lady and resides with her parents). Since coming to this country Mr. Schla- genhauf has affiliated with the Democrat party, and his first vote was cast for Stephen A. Donglas for the presidency. He possesses a benev- olent and kindly disposition, and although he is prudent in the ex- penditure of money, he is not at all niggardly. Upon coming to this county he purchased land on which some slight improvement had been made, and by industry and intelligence he now has one of the finest farms in this section of the country, exceptionally well improved by buildings, fences, etc., and situated within three miles of Kansas City. He and his wife are exceptionally intelligent and refined people, and are perfectly satisfied to spend the remainder of their days on their present farm.
Jacob B. Schmidt is one of the substantial men of Wyandotte
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County, Kas., and is interested in farming and horticulture. He was born in Wirtemburg, Germany, September 21, 1827, and was the sixth of ten children, seven of whom are living: Barbara (who is married, and residing on a farm in Ohio), John (who is married, and is following shoemaking in Germany), Christ (who is a weaver in Ger- many), Martin (a resident of Germany), Jacob B., and George (who is a gardener of Wyandotte County, Kas). Both parents were native Germans, and are now deceased, the father having been a miller by trade. Jacob B. Schmidt was given a good early education, as are all German lads, and at the age of twenty two years he left his native land to seek a home in America, and on August 4, 1851, reached the city of New York. He went soon after to Pennsylvania, where he farmed for four years, then went to Ohio, and followed the same occu- pation there for nine years, after which, in 1869, he came to Kansas, the country at that time being heavily covered with timber and thickly inhabited by Indians, the Wyandotte tribe being very numerous at that time. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Kleiber, who was reared and educated in Germany, and to them three children have been born: Sarah (wife of John Studt, a butcher of Wyandotte County), Jacob (married to Miss Pearl Reams, and is business manager of a general mercantile store in Kansas City, Mo.), and Mary (wife of Martin Seemann, who is a grocer). Since reaching mature years, or since his arrival in this country, Mr. Schmidt has npheld the princi- ples of Democracy, but is not an active partisan. He and his wife are members of the German Lutheran Church at Wyandotte, Kas., and have been liberal with their means in the support of worthy enterprises. Mr. Schmidt has an exceptionally valuable. little fruit and vegetable farm of twenty-five acres, on which he raises apples, peaches, cherries, apricots, mulberries, plums, grapes and the small fruits, his income from the sale of which amounts to a handsome annual sum. His farm is in the best possible condition, and he was at one time offered $800 per acre for the tract (but the party afterward failed to keep his agree- ment), as it lies within two miles of the city limits, and is constantly increasing in value. Their residence is commodious and substantial, and Mr. Schmidt and his wife have the satisfaction of knowing that it has been earned by their own efforts.
Benjamin Schnierle is the present clerk of Kansas City, Kas., and his long and extensive experience in public affairs have rendered his serv- ices especially useful to the city, and his ability and fitness for his present position are generally recognized. He was born in Louisville, Ky.,
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October 10, 1854, but spent the greater part of his early life in the Western States, his parents, Rev. M. and C. M. Schnierle, being resi- dents of Edwardsville, Ill. His early education was acquired in the public schools and Central Wesleyan College, and from this latter in- stitution was graduated, at the early age of eighteen years, after which he devoted his attention to pedagogic work and to the study of law. He has resided in Wyandotte County, more or less, ever since 1867, and has been permanently located here since 1880. In that year he was appointed deputy county treasurer, a position he ably filled, until 1884, and the following four years served in the capacity of county treasurer. Since the month of April, 1889, he has held his present position, his term closing in April, 1891. His marriage took place May 29, 1883, his wife being Miss Sadie E. McCormick, who died February 5, 1887, leaving two children-a son and daughter. Mr. Schnierle is an enthusiastic supporter of Republican principles, and in discharging the duties of the offices to which he has been ap- pointed he has proved capable, popular and courteous. He has al- ways been found willing to aid an enterprise which tends to the inter- ests of his adopted county, and is universally esteemed by his fellow citizens.
Christian Schoeller, Jr., wholesale and retail butcher and retail dealer in country produce, owes his nativity to Kansas City, Mo., where his birth occurred, January 4, 1863. He is the son of Chris- tian and Anna (Windisch) Schoeller, Sr., natives of Germany. The father came to the United States in 1856, and to Kansas City, Mo., in 1858, when single, and was married to Anna Windisch August 27, 1859. They lived, up to 1889, in Kansas City, Mo., since which time their home has been in Rosedale, Kas., with our subject. The senior Schoeller is a butcher by trade, and a member of the German Druids Lodge, and G. A. R., Sheild's Post No. 15. ' In politics he is a Republican. During the late war he served in the Union army, en- listing, June 28, 1861, in the Thirteenth Regiment Missouri Cavalry, aud was mustered out, as corporal, February 2, 1862. He re-enlisted in the Seventy-seventh Regiment Missouri Militia, as second lieutenant of Company B, and served until the end of the war, in 1865. Christian Schoeller, Jr., received his education in Kansas City, Mo., there learning the butcher's business, and came to Rosedale July 28, 1886. He was engaged in running a wholesale wagon, in Kansas City, Mo., and doing his butchering in Rosedale, Kas., where he lived, and in March, 1888, he also engaged in the retail meat and vegetable market busi-
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ness. By his energy and ability he has established a permanent trade, and has the patronage of the best people, handling nothing but su- perior articles. On July 28, 1886, he was married to Miss Alvena Boersch, danghter of Edwin and Maria Boersch. Miss Boersch was born August 28, 1866, in Davenport, Iowa, and came to Kansas City, Mo., in 1882, and was there married. They have since been living in Rosedale, Kas., where to them were born two children: Laura and Bertha. Laura was born July 16, 1887, and Bertha March 7, 1889. Mr. Schoeller is a member of the A. O. U. W., and secretary of Rosedale Protective Association. He is also treasurer of the German Benevolent Lodge of Rosedale and Argentine. In politics he is a Democrat. He was elected a councilman last election, and fills that position creditably. He is one of the town's most enterprising and substantial citizens. He has two fine properties in town, and has made it all by his own industry, in the last four years.
Richard H. Scott is a dealer in general merchandise in Wyandotte County, Kas., but was born in Windom County, Vt., April 20, 1845, the eldest of a family of four children born to the union of Harris Scott and Julia M. Cushman, who were also born in that State. The father was at first engaged in general trading, but gave particular attention to trading in horses, mules cattle and hogs. In 1854 re- ports reached him of the rapidly growing West, and so fired his imag- ination that he determined to seek his fortune there, and for some time he resided on a farm in Cook County, Ill., near the present city of Chicago. He was not permitted to enjoy his new home long, and one year after leaving Vermont, he died of consumption, leaving, be- sides his widow, four small children to mourn their loss. His widow sur- vived him until 1861, when she, too, passed from life, and was laid to rest by the side of her husband. Richard H. Scott was ambitious, even in his earliest youth, to become a well-educated man, and to this end be applied himself diligently to his studies while in school, and was one of a class of thirteen that graduated from the first Cook County Normal Institute, it being held in Blue Island. After leaving this institution he entered the service of his brother, Lyman E., who was engaged in the mercantile business in Waldron, Mo., and after remaining with him two years he began learning telegraphy, and after becoming familiar with this calling he was given charge of the office at Waldron, a position he retained and successfully filled for eight years. He removed to Kansas City, in 1881, but not liking that place, he removed to Wyandotte County, Kas., and settled in
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what is now known as Old Maywood, where he remained, his atten- tion being given to the general mercantile business, until the Kansas City, Missouri & North-Western Railroad was completed, and the town of Piper organized, when he moved his store and residence thither, and here has since made his home. He is doing an excellent business, and is handling a line of general merchandise valued at $1,500, and his residence is one of the handsomest in the place. In 1881, he was appointed postmaster of Maywood, which office he filled until Cleve- land's administration, when he resigned, but in 1888 he was again ap- pointed to the position, and is now discharging his duties to the satis- faction of all concerned. September 3, 1860, he married Miss Sarah R., a native of Missouri, and a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Tomm) Compston. She was born August 12, 1854, and during the trying times of their early settlement in this State, she proved a loving wife, and a true helpmate. To them a family of four children was born: William H. (born July 27, 1872), Wilson A. (born October 21, 1875), Estella M. (born in 1879), and Chester A. (born in March, 1881). Mr. Scott has been a life long Republican, and has held a number of local offices such as township treasurer, clerk, etc. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and himself and wife belong to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. During the war he was a member of the Union army, and served in the commissary department, enlisting at Chicago, being sworn in at St. Louis. He joined his regiment at Devall's Bluff, Ark., and while on duty at that place had the misfor- tune to lose his right eye.
John Schuetz, farmer and fruit grower, Turner, Kas. Mr. Schuetz was born in Wyandot County, Ohio, on October 17, 1834, and is the son of John Garhardt Schuetz, a native of Germany. The father was reared to manhood in his native country, and there learned the car- penter and joiner's trade, which he followed in Virginia after com- ing to this country. He was married in the Old Dominion, and left his wife with her relatives while he went to Ohio, settling in Wyan- dot County. There his wife joined him, and they entered a good farm, and there reared their family. The father received his final summons in that county. John Schuetz was reared in Wyandot County, re- maining there until 1861, and then removed to Putnam County, Ohio, where he remained two years. Later he returned to his native county, but only remained a short time, when he moved to Maryville, Mo., where he tarried eighteen months. From there he moved to Wyan- dotte County, Kas .. in 1870, and here purchased 100 acres of timber,
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which he has since improved with an elegant house, barn, good orchards, etc. He is turning his attention to fruit-growing, and has a fine prospect before him. Mr. Shuetz's marriage was consummated on October 16, 1859, with Miss Catherine Wildemood, a native of Sen- eca County, Ohio, born on November 20, 1839, and the daughter of John and Littie (Gilbert) Wildemood, natives of Germany and Mary- land, respectively. To Mr. and Mrs. Schuetz were born five children, four now living. Mr. Schuetz is a Democrat in politics, and has held different local positions of trust. He is a member of Veridus Lodge No. 247. I. O. O. F., and a man universally respected. His son, William has a steam-thresher, which he has worked for several years.
Joseph M. Schuetz is a well-known farmer and small-fruit-grower of Wyandotte County, Kas., and has been a resident of this section since 1868, being the owner of seventy seven and one-half acres of fine land, cultivating it as follows: Five to ten acres of potatoes, two acres in blackberries, two in raspberries and two in strawberries, 150 apple, 100 cherry, 900 peach and fifty plum trees. He has devoted his time and attention to this business, and his place indicates to a noticeable extent what years of industry, good management and superior knowledge, will do toward accumulating a competency. He is progressive in his views, and has met with substantial success, which all concede is well merited. He was born in the State of Ohio No- vember 17, 1846, was reared there, and in 1868 came to Wyandotte County, Kas., which place has since been his home. He was married February 4. 1868, his wife, Anna, being the daughter of Gottleib Everhart. She was also born in Ohio, January 31, 1861, and of three children born to them, two are now living: Milton Elroy, and Eva M. May died in early childhood. Mr. Schuetz has always supported the men and measures of the Democrat party, and socially is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, holding the position of treas- urer of his lodge. Although his early educational opportunities were somewhat limited he has become a well-informed man by contact with the world, and by reading the current items of the day, and is one of the public-spirited citizens of this section of the country.
Judge L. L. Sebille, attorney and justice of the peace of Armour- dale, Kas. Judge Sebille was originally from Tama County, Iowa, where his birth occurred on August 10, 1862, aud is the son of A. and Pauline (Jacquot) Sebille, natives of France. The parents came to America in about 1850, settled in Connecticut, and there the father
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followed his trade that of collier, burning charcoal, etc., for some time. He made a trip through several States working at his trade, but finally settled down in Tama county, Iowa, where he was en- gaged in farming for a number of years. He is now engaged in merchandising in Armourdale, having moved there in 1886. To his marriage were born seven children-four now living: Joseph, Mary and Emily. Judge L. L. Sebille was principally reared in Iowa, and supplemented a good college education by attending Drake University, at Des Moines, Iowa, where he graduated on June 17, 1886. In 1888 he came to Osborn, Kas., was admitted to the bar, and there practiced his profession for a short time. From there he moved to Armourdale and was elected justice of the peace in April, 1889. He drafted the bill that created an additional justice in 1889, in Kansas City, Kas., and was appointed by the governor for a period of about one month, being elected to the office at the regular election. He was appointed city attorney for Downs, Kas., but served only a short time on account of removal. He practices in the courts of Kansas and Missouri, is a practical thinker, and a young man well versed in the usages and in- tricacies of law. Politically he is a Republican, and socially he is a member of the K. of P., having joined that society in 1885.
John Seemann is a practical farmer and horticulturist of Wyan- dotte County, Kas., but was born in Wirtemburg, Germany, Decem- ber 17, 1828, his brothers and sisters being as follows: Martin (a resident of Ohio), Christina (who resides in her native land), and Agnes (who also resides in Germany). The parents of these children were natives of Wirtemburg, the father being a farmer, but both are now deceased. John Seemann obtained his early educational training in the common schools of Germany, after which he became an appren- tice at the tailor's trade, after which he served as a soldier in the Ger- man army for seven years, and in 1854 emigrated to America, landing at New York City, in the month of March, of that year. From this place he went to Warren County, Ohio, where he engaged in tailoring for fifteen years, and was married in Montgomery County, of that State on March, 17, 1870, to Miss Barbara Voegele, a native of Ger- many, who received her education in the German language in her ยท native land and in Maryland, in the English. Soon after their mar- riage they came to Wyandotte County, Kas., where they purchased thirty acres of land at $45 per acre, from an Indian by the name of " White Crow," the land at that time being heavily covered with tim- ber. He has a fine fruit farm comprising twenty-seven and a half
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acres, and raises on the same, apples, peaches, cherries, pears, quinces, Siberian crabs, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, cnrrants and grapes. This land is situated within two miles of Kansas City, and as it is admirably kept, it is very valuable, and although he considers it worth $800 per acre, it gives every promise of rapidly increasing in value. His house and barns are neat and comfortable, and here they wish to spend the rest of their days with their children whose names are as follows: John A. (an intelligent young man of nineteen), George C. (aged sixteen), and William M. (aged thirteen). Mr. Seemann is a Democrat, casting his first presidential vote for Stephen A. Douglas, and he and his wife are members of the German Lutheran Church.
Martin Seemann, a leading retail grocer, and a worthy resident of Kansas City, Kas., was born in Warren County, Ohio, December 3, 1855, he being a son of Martin and Anna Catherine (Ruoff) Seemann, who were born in Wirtemburg, Germany, but who came to America while still single, and were married in Warren County, Ohio, there becoming the parents of eight children, seven of whom are now living: Martin, John (who died in childhood), Mary, Anna B., George J., Anna Catherine, Christina and Jacob. The parents of these children are both living, their home now being in Butler County, Ohio, where the father is following farming. When the subject of this sketch was ten years old his parents removed to Butler County, Ohio, and during his early life he labored upon his father's farm, in summer, and attended the district school in winter, thereby receiving a fair education. Upon reaching manhood, he took up the duties of life for himself, and after working by the month on a farm in Montgomery County, Ohio, for one season, he began farming for himself, and one year was devoted to the raising of tobacco. He was then engaged in the same pursuit for three seasons, in Warren County, Ohio, after which he again worked two seasons as a farm hand, in Butler County. In the fall of 1885 he em- igrated to Wyandotte County, Kas., for the purpose of visiting his uncle, John Seemann, a well-to-do farmer residing some miles west of this city, and returned home at the end of a few weeks. However, he had been much pleased with the country here, and he returned in March. 1886, with the intention of making this his future abiding place. Upon locating in Kansas City he entered the employ of Theodore Teepen, a successful grocer of this place, and remained with him for about one year and eight months, being his principal clerk. The winter of 1887 -88 he spent at the home of his uncle, mentioned above, and in the spring of the latter year he began clerking for Albert Schmitz, with
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whom he remained for eight months. He then made his parents in Ohio a visit, returning to Kansas in October, 1888, and the following December he opened a grocery establishment of his own, at No. 8453 Minnesota Avenue, and has conducted a first-class grocery at that point ever since. By his courteous and accommodating manner, and his de- sire to satisfy the public, he has built up a good patronage, and has acquired a large circle of friends. His marriage to Miss Mary Schmidt was consummated September 19, 1889, she being a daughter of Jacob Schmidt. Mr. Seemann is a self-made man, and the property he now owns, has been made by his own exertions. He and his wife are mem- bers of the German Lutheran Church, and rank among that class of citizens that go to make Kansas City the desirable place of residence that it is. Mr. Seemann's store is well stocked with fresh groceries, and he commands a large patronage, as he is recognized as an honor- able man of business. He also deals in flour and feed.
O. K. Serviss, postmaster of Kansas City, Kas., the subject of this sketch, needs no introduction to the people of Kansas City and vicin- ity. He was born in New Carlisle, Clark County, Ohio, December 9, 1836, and was educated in his native town. He came West in 1856, and settled in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, where he became engaged in mercantile pursuits, and afterward served two years as undersheriff of the county. On the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion he took an active part in organizing the boys in blue, and was second lieutenant of the Mount Pleasant Mounted Infantry, organized for the protection of the State border. In 1864 and 1865 he was with the First Iowa Cavalry during many of their trying engagements in Mis- souri and Arkansas. In 1866 he removed to Kansas City, Mo., where he engaged in business in a two-story frame building, which formerly stood where the Times Building now stands, and in April, 1867, came across the line to Kansas City (then Wyandotte), Kas., where he has since taken an active part in the building up of the metropolis of Kansas. He was many years in the dry goods and grocery trade, was two years in the city council, three terms as city treasurer, and two terms in the sheriff's office as undersheriff, and served five years as chief of police. He assumed the duties of postmaster April 22, 1889, and by constant attendance to the duties and responsibilities of the office has given the best of satisfaction to its patrons and the depart- ment. Mr. Serviss has been twice married, his first wife, Maria V. Forgy, to whom he was married at New Waverly, Ind., in the year 1857, died in 1871, leaving two children, Edgar F. (now assistant
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postmaster), and Clara A. (wife of G. N. Curtis, agent of the Union Pacific Railway Company, Kansas City, Mo.). He was married to his present wife, Ella A. Haskell. in 1873, at Streator, Ill., who bore him one child, William H.
S. S. Sharpe, commissioner, Kansas City, Kas. Mr. Sharpe, one of the leading and enterprising citizens of Kansas City, Kas., was reared and educated in the State of New York. For about ten years he was a workman on the bridges of the New York & Erie Railroad, and in 1863 he came to Kansas City, Kas., to work on the Union Pa- cific Railroad, and the first work on this road was accomplished by him. He was superintendent of construction of the road from Kansas City to Lawrence, and finished it all up ready for use. After this he engaged in contracting, under Shumaker, Miller & Co., and later he was a member of Sharpe, Shaw & Co., contractors on the grade out to Fort Wallace, and all along the line. They finished up that road about 1868, and built sixty miles of the Missouri, Kansas & Topeka road, from Junction City to Emporia. Sharpe & Shaw built the Council Bluffs road from Kansas City to Parkville, and then built forty-five miles of the Arkansas Central road ont from Helena, Ark. After this they did a great deal of grading, and laid the track from Ozark to Fort Smith. Later they went to Arkansas City, and built about nine iniles of road across the overflow; then went to Colorado, where they worked on the road from Canon City to Leadville. Mr. Sharpe re- turned then to Kansas City, and, with his partner, organized the Kan- sas City Paving & Constructing Company. They have done much work in Kansas City, Mo., and Kansas City, Kas. Mr. Sharpe spent four years in the San Juan mining country. He made considerable in- vestments, which are not developed. Brick paving, macadamizing and all general constructing are in his line of business. He was in the United States' employ, in the railroad department, and was at Norfolk region in the spring of 1862-63. He was elected county commissioner in the fall of 1887, and still holds that position. In his political prin- ciples he is Democratic. He was married in Elmira, N. Y., to Miss Mariah L. Falls, and they have three children: Nellie, Stephen B. and Louisa. Mr. Sharpe is a son of Liberty and Mary (Gray) Sharpe, both natives of Connecticut. Sharpe is a Scotch name, and the grandfather came from Scotland. The father was a carpenter and builder. Socially, our subject is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and A. O. U. W.
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