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 83
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John Steffens is a county commissioner of District No. 1, of Wyan- dotte County, and not only as a painstaking and zealous official, but socially and politically also, do we find him among the foremost men of the county. He was born in Germany, May 23, 1845, and like so many of his countrymen by industry and good management he has
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obtained a substantial footing in this country. He was the eldest in a family of four children born to Henry and Betty Steffens, natives of the same country where their mother died in 1870, and the father is still living, following the occupation of contracting and building, of which he is the thorough master. John Steffens came to America to seek his fortune at the age of eighteen years, and after landing in New York City, immediately emigrated westward, and for two years worked at the carpenter's trade in Belleville, Ill. He then went to a town near Nashville, Ill., where he hired out to a farmer, and there made his home until 1868, when he came to Argentine, or what is now Argentine, there being no house on the present site at that time. He continued to till the soil here for a few years, and by the careful saving of his wages he soon accumulated a sufficient amount to enable him to purchase a farm of forty-one acres close to Argentine, of which he is still the owner. This farm he improved with a good house and other buildings, and now rents the same. In 1881 the town of Argentine was laid ont, and he moved to the village and again began carpen- tering and building, which he continued to follow till his election in 1883 to the position of township treasurer, and the follow- ing year township trustee, a position he retained five years. At the organization of Argentine he was elected one of the first councilmen, and filled this position by re-election for six years, being elected in 1888 to the office of county commissioner, a position he was forced to resign. He has been associated with the management of the township, city and county during the greater part of his residence here, and has also been interested in the progress and development of the schools, and to this end acted as a member of the school board. While he was one of the county commissioners the county jail was built, and also Eighth Street. He has given universal satisfaction while representing his district, and his popularity with his fellow-men is shown when it is known that he was elected on the Republican ticket from a precinct largely Democratic. As an official he has not his superior, for he is methodical, faithful and highly efficient, one of the county's first-class citizens. In the month of August, 1874, he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Walker, a daughter of William and Louisa Walker, the former of whom died in 1868. The mother still survives, and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Steffens. The latter was born in Wyandotte in 1856, and her union with Mr. Steffens has resulted in the birth of four children: Mena. Henry, John and Lena. The family are members of the German Lutheran Church of this city.
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Hon. B. L. Stine is the oil, inspector for all of the Second Con- gressional District, and also part of the first and third districts. He was born in Juniata County, Penn., in 1846, and in that State grew to manhood. At the opening of the Rebellion, when only fourteen years of age, he enlisted in the Thirty-sixth Pennsylvania Infantry, but at the end of three months became a member of Company A, First Pennsylvania Cavalry as a private, and was with the same for three years and one month, taking part in the following engagements: Chan- cellorsville, Wilderness, Gettysburg, Petersburg, Bermuda Hundred, City Point, Five Forks, and Appomattox Court House, and saw Gen. . Lee the day before the surrender. He took part in the grand review at Washington City, then returned to Pennsylvania, and was discharged at Harrisburg. He then secured employment on a railroad as fireman, finally became engineer and remained on Engine 67 until 1869, when he went to Ohio and located near Galion, where he began farming, a calling he followed until 1875, when he came to Kansas City, Mo., where he remained for three years prior to his removal to this city be- ing an employe of the Kansas Rolling Mill Company during that time and until 1882. In 1880 he was elected to the State Legislature, from Wyandotte County, on the Republican ticket, the first one to be elected from this district, serving with ability from 1882 to 1884. He con- tinned with the above named mill until it was closed down in 1882, after which he turned his attention to the real estate business, also in- surance, and is still following this calling, it being his chief business. He received the appointment of coal inspector in December, 1889, and he is is also connected with the South West Boulevard Land & Im- provement Company, and is interested in Columbus Heights, Hum- boldt Addition and Potomac Heights, besides his own exclusive prop- erty. He is one of the public-spirited men of this section, is strictly honorable in all his business transactions, and commands the un- bounded respect and esteem of his fellow-men. He is a member of the K. of P., the A. O. U. W., Royal Arcanum, and while a resident of Ohio was married, becoming the father of one child: Zelene A. Mr. Stine is of Dutch descent and is a son of Benjamin D. and May A. (Height) Stine, native Pennsylvanians.
Dr. Charles M. Stemen is a well-known young physician of Kan- sas City, Kas., and was born in Van Wert County, Ohio, September 11, 1865, being a son of Dr. C. B. Stemen, an eminent railway sur- geon of Fort Wayne, Ind. Charles M. spent his early days in his na- tive county, and received his literary education in the Fort Wayne
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Methodist College. In the fall of 1881, having made up his mind to make the profession of a physician his calling through life, he began his medical studies under the preceptorship of his father, and in 1886 graduated as an M. D .. from the Fort Wayne College of Medicine, and at once came West, locating in Kansas City, Kas., where he has since devoted himself earnestly to the successful practice of his calling, and has succeeded admirably in his endeavors. He is a mem- ber of the Wyandotte County Medical Society, the National Associa- tions of Railway Surgeons, and for one year held the office of city phy- sician of Kansas City, and for the past three years has been police surgeon. He makes a specialty of surgery, for the practice of which he is peculiarly well adapted, and he is acknowledged by his brother physicians to be possessed of much ability and skill. He has a lucra- tive practice, and promises to attain the front ranks in his profession. Socially he belongs to the A. F. & A. M., the K. of P., the A. O. U. . W., the A. O. F., and the National Union. His marriage which oc- curred May 15, 1888, was to Miss Eva B. Kirtley, a daughter of W. J. Kirtley, of Warsaw, Ind.
Derrick Stone, manufacturer of carbonated drinks, soda water, or- ange cider and bock beer, seltzer water, champagne cider, etc., estab- lished his business here in 1887, and immediately entered on a brisk trade which has steadily increased since. His genial disposition has gained him a host of friends, and he practices those principles of fair- ness and liberality which are bound to hold and make more custom. He is doing business at 534 and 536 Reynolds Avenue, Kansas City, Kas., operates the year round and employs twelve men. He re- placed the old machinery in the room by new, and everything is in first-class working order. Mr. Stone was born in Hocking County, Ohio, on December 21, 1826, and was the son of Horace and Betsy (Ramsey) Stone, the father a native of Connecticut, born in 1789, and the mother of Maryland, born about 1800. Both came to Ohio with their parents, grew to mature years in Ohio, and there their nuptials were celebrated. The father of our subject was an agriculturist and was very successful in this calling. He was colonel of the militia for many years. In politics he took an active part, was a Whig, and held a num- ber of local offices. He was a leader in that section, and was active in his support of Harrison, Sr. Both he and wife were members of, the Presbyterian Church for many years, and he was an elder in the same. The Stone family was originally from Holland. The paternal grandfather, Derrick Stone emigrated from Connecticut to Marietta,
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Ohio, when the Indians were the principal inhabitants of that county, and there passed the remainder of his days. Derrick Stone, Jr., at- tended the schools in his home district until he was better qualified to teach than his teacher, and then taught the home school for the muni- ficent sum of $12 per month, and boarded himself. He began teach- ing when seventeen years of age, followed this pursuit for two years, and then as his father opened a store at Nelsonville, Athens County, Ohio, he took charge of the same, conducting it for two years. After this he engaged as salesman in a mercantile establisment, and con- tinued at this one year, and was then with Phillip Hanes & Sons at Fremont, Ohio, for one season. Later still he went to Maumee City, Ohio, took charge of a mercantile establishment doing an extensive business, P. W. Boyd & Co., and then went into partnership with the firm of Gregory & Moore, in patent medicines. Later his partner died and his (the partner's) interest was purchased by Mr. Boyd, the title being changed to Boyd, Stone & Co. Three years later Mr. Stone , sold his interest, after which he went to Perrysburg, and formed a partnership with Gen. William Houston in general merchandising, carrying this on until the breaking out of the war. In September, 1862, Mr. Stone enlisted in Company A, One Hundredth Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, and was made first deputy sergeant, holding the posi- tion for six months, after which he was detailed to commissary de- partment as abstract clerk, and held that position until the close of the war. While in the ranks he was in the battle of Franklin, and he assisted in marching the prisoners to the rear who were taken at that time. He was discharged at Washington, and soon after came to Wyandotte County, where he commenced operating a saw-mill in connection with Frank H. Belton. Two years later he opened a store at Pomeroy, which town was then in the woods, named the place, and was the first ticket agent. Some time afterward he came to Wyan- dotte City, carried on a store for twelve years, and then embarked in the coal business with Mayor W. P. Overton, and continued at this until three years ago. In 1868 he married Mrs. Jennie E. Garrett, daughter of Dr. Ayers of Upper Sandusky, Ohio. Mrs. Stone is a member of the Congregational Church. Mr. Stone is a member of the I. O. O. F., of Kansas City, Kas., and has held most all the chairs of the K. of P. In politics he is Democratic, favoring free tariff.
John L. Sterrett, foreman of the loading gang for Swift & Co., of Kansas City, was born in Evansville, Ind., July 31, 1863, a son of Alexander and Anna M. E. (Lagow) Sterrett, the former of whom was
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born in Wayne County, Ind., September 28, 1821, and the latter in Princeton, Ind., October 11, 1837. To their union a family of eight children was born: Robert M., Harry L., William P., Samuel W., John L., Margaret, Sallie, and Anna, the latter dying in infancy. When John L. Sterrett was three years of age, he was taken by his parents to Manhattan, Kas. They remained in this State only three years, returning at the end of that time to Indiana, locating in Wash- ington, and two years later in Terre Haute. In 1880 they returned to Kansas, taking up their abode in Wyandotte County, and here the father, who was a minister of the Presbyterian Church, died September 25, 1885, his widow and their six youngest children still residing in Wyandotte. The early life of John L. Sterrett was spent in the places named above, but the greater part of his education was received at Terre Haute. After coming to Wyandotte he was a student for two months in Spaulding's Business College, at the end of which time he left that institution to enter the packing-house of George Fowler & Son, remaining with them for six years and a half, during the whole of which time he was employed as time-keeper. In September, 1887, he became an employe of the Kansas City Packing Company, but in November, 1887, he began working for the Armour Packing Company, his services being thus employed until March 11, 1888. On the fol- lowing day he was hired by Swift & Co., and has been with this firm ever since, his first duties being as time-keeper. In the fall of 1889 he was given a foremanship, and in June, 1890, he was made foreman of the loading gang, a position he is now filling. Mr. Sterrett is a young man of excellent business qualifications, and good habits, and his prospects for a successful future are very promising. He is well known throughout the city and county, and has a large circle of warm friends, among whom he is very popular. He is a devoted member of the Republican party, and socially is a member of the A. O. U. W. His marriage, which occurred on May 20, 1884, was to Miss Belle Bowling, a daughter of George D. and Anna (White) Bowling. She was born in Wyandotte, Kas., March 20, 1865, and her union with Mr. Sterrett has resulted in the birth of two children: Sallie (born July 5, 1885), and Alexander (born August 18, 1886).
Martin Stewart, one of the oldest settlers of Kansas City, Kas., was born in Baden, Germany, in 1824, and when seven years of age he was brought by his parents to America, and landed in New Orleans. His father, the day after their arrival in New Orleans, unfortunately fell a victim to yellow fever and was taken from his family after an ill-
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ness of six weeks. His widow and five children afterward moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where Martin was reared to manhood. The family brought considerable means with them to this country, but these means were soon exhausted by the heavy expenses that sickness brought upon them, and the children, though at an early age. were compelled to seek labor in order to earn a livelihood, which was no great hard- ship, as they possessed all the energy and enterprise characteristic of the German people. Martin Stewart has worked hard ever since eight years old. This to him, at first, was quite a hard struggle, but after con- siderable experience he found himself better qualified to face hardships, and after he became twenty-one years of age, with the earnings of his only brother and sisters, his mother was enabled to live independently. She died in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Martin is the only one that now survives her. After Martin had attained the age of twenty one, he leased some land near Cincinnati, and began a career as a gardener, and when twenty three he was married to Miss Catherine Minnenger, of that city, and who was born in Hesse, Germany. She was seven years of age when brought to America by her parents, who also made it their home in Cincinnati, and where Mr. and Mrs. Minnenger died, the former at sixty-three and the latter at forty years of age. Mr. Stewart made his home in Cincinnati until 1857, when he came to Wyandotte, Kas., and followed the occupation of teamster, but the fol - lowing year rented the farm now owned by E. D. Brown, and at the end of that year he purchased his present farm, now known as the Stewart homestead. In 1887 he rented this farm, which comprises 101 acres, and built himself a suburban residence, with all the modern improve- ments, where he now resides with his wife and three unmarried children. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart have seven children, namely: Martin W. (treas- urer of the county), Kate A. (wife of Henry Hafner), Lizzie E. (wife of Ed Daniels), Celia C. (wife of Theo F. Ismert), Rosa S., George A. (cashier Kansas City, Kas., Savings Bank), and Henry E. The Stewarts are all strict members of the Roman Catholic Church, and are one of the oldest Catholic families in the county. The second mass said in this county was celebrated in Mr. Stewart's house, by Bish- op Miege, from Leavenworth, Kas. During the war he was lieutenant of the Twenty-third Cavalry of the State Militia. Politically Mr. Stewart is a Democrat, and as such served one term as county com- missioner. He was also one of the investigators of public schools, and served as director for many years. At present he is a stockholder and one of the directors of the Wyandotte National Bank, and stock-
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holder, director and vice-president of the Wyandotte Savings Bank. His father was a soldier in Napoleon's army, and assisted in the march to Russia, being in the hussars, and having six horses shot from under him. He was one of the six that returned alive.
M. W. Stewart, the present county treasurer of Wyandotte County, Kas., was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1848, but was reared and edu- cated in Wyandotte County, Kas., supplementing the common school course with a more complete training in a commercial college, and in this institution became admirably fitted for the practical duties of life. Having been reared on a farm, he turned his attention to that pursuit on starting out to make his own way in the world, but after some time gave up this occupation to open a meat and produce estab- lishment, and conducted this successfully for a period of five consecu- tive years. At the expiration of this time he returned to his farm, where he was engaged in speculating in various ways, and his honesty in dealing with his fellow-men, and his upright and clean life, coupled with his business capacity, brought him into public notice, and he was nominated by the Democratic party for his present office, and was elected in the fall of 1887, notwithstanding the fact that the county has a Republican majority. In the fall of 1889 he was re-elected, and this, as well as his first election, proves that he is a popular and efficient official. He was married to Miss Josie A. Beckenhanf, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, their union taking place in Kansas City, Mo., September 26, 1888. [For a history of Mr. Stewart's parents see sketch of Martin Stewart. ]
Samuel Stewart has been engaged in business in Kansas City, Kas., since the month of June, 1884, and since April, 1887, has conducted affairs on James Street, his spacious store-building being a landmark in this part of the city. He was born in County Antrim, Ireland, June 20, 1851, his parents, James and Sarah (McIlroy) Stewart being also born there about the year 1826. They were married in 1848, and became the parents of eleven children, their names being as follows: John, Samuel, Isabella, Thomas and James, living, and James, Rob- ert H., Mary, William, Jennie and Sarah, deceased. The parents still reside in their native county. The subject of this sketch is the only member of the family that came to the United States, but his youth was spent in attending school and laboring on a farm. At the age of fifteen years he left home and went to Belfast, Ireland, where he served a five years' apprenticeship, learning the trade of a grocer, then opened an establishment of his own, and was a prosperous and suc.
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cessful grocer of Belfast for twelve years. He was married while there, on July 13, 1875, to Miss Johanna May, whose birth occurred in County Antrim, Ireland, June 13, 1850, a daughter of John and Catherine (Walker) May. In 1884 Mr. Stewart emigrated with his family to America, embarking at Derry on March 14, and reaching New York after a stormy voyage of fourteen days. After staying two nights in this city they started for Kansas City via Chicago, remaining two nights in this place, and reached their destination on April 2, es- tablishing the following June a grocery store at No. 1522 East Twelfth Street, but in April, 1887, purchased his present establishment which he has conducted very successfully ever since, being now one of the leading grocers in his portion of the city. He endeavors in every way to please his patrons, and that he has succeeded in doing so is clearly shown by the large patronage he now enjoys. He and wife, who are members of the Presbyterian Church, have three sons: James (born March 18, 1877), John (born April 5, 1879), and Samuel (born Novem- ber 11, 1881.)
Frederick Stockhoff, whose sketch now claims attention, is a resi- dent of Wyandotte Township, Wyandotte County, Kas. He was born in Hanover, Germany, about twelve miles from the old city of that name, on December 20, 1844, and was the second of the eight children born to his parents. The others are: Henry (who resides in Wyan- dotte County and married Miss Anna Winker, a native of Germany), Herman (who lives in Wyandotte County, is married, and devotes his attention to farming), Wilhelm, resident of Wyandotte County, and is a farmer), Joseph (who continues to makes his home in Germany), August (who lives in Wyandotte Connty), and Louise (wife of Mr. Doodlestadt, of Kansas City, Mo.). Mr. Stockhoff's parents were both natives of Germany, and are both dead. He received his early educa- tion in the old country, and was thus fitted for the battle of life and to be a practical business man. He commenced a commercial career for himself at the age of twenty-three, without a dollar in his pocket and without a trade of any kind, and for many years naturally endured innumerable privations and often found it very difficult to provide himself with the necessaries of life. However, he was the fortunate possessor of a pair of willing hands and a vast amount of energy, and climbed slowly but surely to success. Upon his arrival in the United States he landed in New York City and from that point went to Cin- cinnati, Ohio, where he remained for a period of seven years, working in that city and also in Covington, Ky. He came to Wyandotte
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County in the spring of 1873, and at once engaged in farming. At that time the country around here was very wild, and had fews signs of cultivation. Kansas City, Kas., had only about 2,000 inhabitants, and land there was worth from $20 to $40 per acre. Now Mr. Stock. hoff owns a very valuable farm that comprises 174 acres of land that is worth fully $75 per acre, and is a highly respected man, alike in busi- ness and social circles. He has seen all the wonderful "booms " that have visited this section of the country in the past, and is well posted as to the desirability of real estate. His estate lies within five miles of the city limits of Kansas City, Kas., and he is comfortably fixed and has before him the promise of a successful future. In Cincinnati, Ohio, in April, 1873, Mr. Stockhoff was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Winkey, a native of Germany, and who was educated in her native place. To them have been born four children-three daughters and one son-viz. : Lizzie (aged sixteen), Henry (who is thirteen years old), Rosa (a pretty little maiden of eleven summers), and Lena (aged eight years, and the youngest child.) In politics he has always sup- ported the Republican ticket, and cast his first presidential vote in the United States for the "soldier president," Gen. U. S. Grant. Both Mr. and Mrs. Stockhoff are members of the German Lutheran Church, and have by their strict integrity of purpose and natural kindness of heart won many friends during their residence in this township.
R. F. Strain, foreman of the saw-mill and box department of Ar- mour Packing House, is one of the progressive and thoroughgoing bus- iness men of Kansas City, Kas. He was born in the Empire State, Rochester, on May 5, 1850, and is of Scotch descent. His father and mother were born in New York State, and there passed their entire lives. The father's name was Duncan Strain. R. F. Strain learned the milling business in Saginaw, Mich .. whither he had removed in about 1870, and seven years later he came to Armour and was em- ployed as foreman, superintending the saw business. For four con- secutive years he was with and in the employment of the Hoffman Lumber Company, and during this time was foreman of their business on the east bottoms. They sawed and shipped from this county all of 16,000,000 feet of black walnut lumber, which they shipped to East- ern States and to Europe. Mr. Strain returned to Armour at the end of the four years, and when he first commenced working for them they only made a few short and long clear Cumberland boxes. They are now averaging 5,000 boxes per day. Mr. Strain is a young man of excellent business ability, and acumen, and is bound to make his mark
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in the world. He is single, and resides at 40 North First Street. In politics he is a stanch Republican.
James Sullivan, a member of the city council from the First Ward, is a successful coal dealer of Kansas City, Kas., his place of business being at No. 40 Central Avenue. He was born at Paris, Ontario, Can- ada, and came to the States with his parents when a child, being reared chiefly in Northern Michigan, receiving common-school advan- tages. Being possessed with a spirit of adventure, and thinking to better his financial condition, he came West in 1869, settling in the southern portion of the State, but about sixteen years since came to Kansas City, Kas., and up to 1874 resided in that city and Kansas City, Mo. He located here permanently in 1874, and for about six years worked for the Armourdale Packing Company, after which he embarked in the coal business, a calling that has since received the greater part of his attention. He is a man of excellent judgment, and his many excellent qualities have been recognized by the residents of Kansas City, for he was elected a member of the city council in 1881, 1882, 1883, 1885, 1887, 1888 and 1890, and is now discharging the du- ties of the same. He has always been a Democrat in his political views, and while running for the above-named office had no opposition in 1882, 1885 and 1890. He was married in Kansas City, Mo., to Miss Rose Gavin, a native of Ireland. His parents, James and Mary (Sullivan) Sullivan, being also natives of that country, but no relation. Mr. Sullivan is a member of the A. O. U. W., Twin City Lodge No. 187.
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