History of Barton County, Kansas

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

BARTON COUNTY, KANSAS

Edward Grant Buckland, a former resident of this county is now living at Washington, D. C. At least he spends a large part of his time in the Capital city. He is vice-president of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad and maintains offices at Washington, D. C, New York City, New Haven, Conn., and Providence, R. I. He was born at Buffalo, N. Y., December 31, 1866. His parents were Andrew J. Buckland and Julia Turner Buckland. The latter died in 1869. Mr. Buckland came to Barton County with his father and three sisters, May 26, 1872. He lived in Great Bend until 1887. In September 1882 he went to Topeka where he attended Washburn College. He graduated from that institution in 1887. He then went to New Haven where he entered the Yale Law School in the autumn of 1887 and graduated in 1889. He became an instructor and later assistant-professor in the law school and in Yale College, at the same time being engaged in the general practice of law with the firm of Townsend & Watrous, afterwards Watrous & Buckland. June 21, 1898, he was appointed attorney for the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company with offices at Providence, R. I. He remained there until January 1, 1904 when he returned to New Haven as attorney for the road and located at its main office. January 1, 1906 he was appointed vice-president of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Company and again moved to Providence, R. I, where he represented that company's steam railroad, street railway and steamship interests. On March 1, 1910, he again returned to New Haven as a general executive, vice-president of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company. He now has offices in Providence, R. I., New Haven, Conn., New York City and Washington, D. C., and represents the company's interests. He was married to Sally Tyler Clark of New Haven, Conn., June 21, 1898. They have two sons and two daughters. The family residence is at New Haven, Conn.

Frank Merten was born in Keokuk County, Iowa, February 28, 1870, and came to this county with his parents when he was six years of age. He now occupies the old home place which was located by his father Robert Merten and comprises the southwest quarter of section 11, Clarence township. Frank attended school for several years after he came to this county and began farming for himself in 1891. He owns a section of land in Pawnee county which is being worked by renters while he gives personal attention to the work of farming the home place. He was married February 13, 1895 to Miss Matilda Both, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Julius Both who are also old timers of this section of the state and who are mentioned in another part of this book. Mr. and Mrs. Merten are the parents of six children: Roy E., 15 years of age; Ralph A., 13 years of age; Lillie May, 11 years of age; Rosie Marie, 8 years of age; Georgia, 2 years of age and Arthur who is two and a half months old. The home place is situated in one of the most desirable parts of the township and the shade trees and other improvements make it one of the most attractive places that one could find in the county. The residence contains nine rooms in addition to the bath, closets, pantries, etc. The barns and other outbuildings are well built and commodious, the elevator having a capacity of 9,000 bushels. The Merten family is one of the best known in the county and are mentioned frequently in the pages of this book. The elder Merten retired several years ago and is now living in Great Bend where he is interested in the banking business and is one of the best known men in the county. Frank Merten has found time with all his private affairs to take an active part in the public affairs of his community and has held township and school board offices as well as taking an interest in anything that is for the benefit of the county.

One the young farmers who are developing the soil in Eureka township none is better known than the subject of this sketch, Bert Trester. He is a son of J. B. Trester who has been a resident of this county forty years. The elder Mr. Trester is one of the really old timers of the county having come here at a time when the county needed men with strong nerve, a knowledge of farming and faith in the future sufficient to make them stay through the hard years of the seventies and finally develop the soil to a state of productiveness. The younger Mr. Trester is now farming three quarters of land which belongs to his father. He was born in this county December 29, 1886 and is therefore a product of the county. It is due to this fact and the fact that he has always been in the farming business that he knows the way to farm to get the best results. He has learned the best methods by actual experience. He was married in 1910 to Miss Margarett Weege of Eureka township, and they are the parents of one child, Margery May who is about two months old at this writing. Mr. Trester is an enterprising and progressive farmer and well prepared to take up the development work of the land where his father left off.

One of the best known families in Barton County and one whose members have had a great deal to do with the development and up-building of the county, is that of Thornton Langford who is the father of the subject of this sketch and came here in 1877. He bought the southwest quarter of section 35 in Eureka township and up until the time of his death was actively engaged in farming. He died in 1900 and his death was keenly felt by the large circle of friends whose friendship he enjoyed. A. L. was born in Appanoose County, Iowa, October 9, 1862, and arrived in this county with his father when he was fifteen years of age. He was married in 1903 to Miss Emma Schultz whose parents are also old timers of the county, her father having been among the very first men to settle in the county. Mr. Langford farms all his own land and has a fine set of improvements. The residence contains five rooms in addition to closets, pantries, etc., and the barn is 24 by 40 feet in dimensions. The improvements are situated amid beautiful surroundings and Mr. Langford has a most attractive country home. He has always taken an active part in the affairs of his township and has held the office of constable and other township offices. It is to such families as the Schultz and Langfords that this county was developed from an almost barren waste in the seventies to its present high state of cultivation and high standing among the best counties in the State of Kansas and made of it one of the most productive agricultural sections of the country. It is such men as the subject of this sketch that the work is being continued to the end that the future that was seen by their elders will be realized and fulfilled. Mr. Langford is an enterprising and progressive citizen and enjoys a wide acquaintance in all parts of the county. His long residence in the county has made him familiar with the conditions with which the farmers have to contend and his success is in a large measure due to the knowledge he has gained by practical work.

One of the really old timers of Barton County still living on his old homestead is the subject of this sketch Sevier H. Hedrick. He was born in Preble County, Ohio, September 16, 1847. He came to Barton County in 1871 and took up a homestead near Heizer. It comprises the northeast quarter of section 6, Buffalo township. Mr. Hedrick has been married twice, his first wife having been Miss Lucy Parks of Illinois. To this union there was born one child, William, who is now 42 years of age and lives in Illinois. He was later married to Miss Maggie Chasteen and they are the parents of five children, as follows: Florence, 22 years of age is now Mrs. Ed. Noffsinger and resides in Brown County, Kansas; Hallie, 19 years of age; May, 18 years of age; Edith, 16 years of age; Grenna, 12 years of age, all of whom live at home. Mr. Hedrick was actively engaged in farming until about a year ago but now superintends the work of renters. He has a nice set of improvements; the residence containing seven rooms. in addition to closets, pantries, etc. The barn is 28 feet square and like the other buildings is well built and commodious. The home place is beautifully situated and is surrounded by a fine set of shade trees, a half acre of orchard altogether is one of the most attractive places in that section of the county.

Mr. Hedrick was the first trustee of Barton township and is one of those men who came here at a time when the buffalo were still roaming the prairies and it is due to such men as Mr. Hedrick that the county was developed and made one of the best in the State of Kansas and it is due to their efforts that it is one of the most important agricultural sections of the entire country. Mr. Hedrick has always taken an active part in the public affairs of his county and is an enterprising and progressive citizen.

Of the many young farmers in the county who are products of this county none better known than subject of this sketch, William Christ Otte who is now farming 200 acres of land in Buffalo township. He has been on this land for the past seven years and as he was born and raised in this county he has learned by experience the methods that will give the best results under the conditions that are found in this section of the county. He was born January 30, 1881 and is a son of William Otte who is mentioned in another part of this book. The elder Otte is one of the old timers of this county who came here in the early days and has seen this county grow from almost a barren waste to its present high state of cultivation. The younger Otte was married to Miss Georgia Miller in 1907. She is a daughter of Henry Miller who will also be found mentioned in another part of this book. He also is one of the old timers who had so much to do with the up-buildlng of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Otte are the parents of two children as follows: Walter who is four years of age and Wilmer who is two years of age. They occupy a neat residence of four rooms. The barn is 20 by 36 and it and all the outbuildings are well built and have plenty of room. The home place is surrounded by a grove of nice shade trees that add greatly to the home-like appearance of the place and altogether Mr. Otte has one of the most ideal country homes to be found in that section of the county. It is to such families as the Ottes and Millers that this county owes its high standing among the best counties of the State of Kansas and one of the best agricultural sections of the entire country.

Those who read this volume will be struck with the nativity of the citizenship, no doubt, and note that the southern states rarely have a representative. The county's history has been forged by the sturdy German-American, and by men from the middle, northern and western sections of the United States. Of course most nations are represented, and most states; but the southern gentleman is noticeable by his absence. He is either clannish and prefers to herd by himself, has not forgotten the border ruffian days, or has harkened to the stories about a cold and cyclonic Kansas. We are pleased, therefore, to record the success of a native Virginian. A man hitherto unused to the rough life of the frontiersman.

Daniel Greene Bird was born near Jacksonville, Floyd County, Virginia, January 19th, 1849, and at an early age removed to Raleigh County, West Virginia. Returning to the Old Dominion he settled in Wythe County, twenty miles north from Wythville. Shortly after his twenty-eighth birthday - on March 3rd, 1878 - he arrived in Barton County, Kansas, determined to make a home for himself and posterity; or never to set foot on Virginia soil again. He selected a location thirteen miles west from Great Bend and there purchased his first quarter of land on payments from the Santa Fe Railway Company. Disastrous years followed and he was forced to forfeit his holdings. Buying again from the same parties in September, 1884, he contracted for three hundred and twenty acres, and paid fifteen hundred and sixty dollars, in payments as before. This time he was successful and paid out. according to agreement; and at this date his home place contains seven hundred and twenty acres. Besides this he owns in the counties of Barton, Pawnee and Rush five separate tracts of land amounting to eighteen hundred and forty acres, or a total of twenty-five hundred and sixty acres. These various tracts are all well improved and in a high state of cultivation. They are stocked with the best farm implements procurable, and the buildings are new, modern, and of a size to comfortably house his numerous tenants, store the grain grown on the various farms, and stable the live stock bred and in service. Mr. Bird is also a stockholder in the Citizens National Bank, Great Bend; Pawnee Rock Elevator Co., and the Independent Harvester Co., Plana, Illinois.

The home of Mr. Bird, thirteen miles northwest from Great Bend, is very attractive in appearance and supplies all modern comforts. It is surrounded with shade trees, grass plot and garden, and is all that a farmer's home should be. The combination dairy and pantry, through which cold sparkling water always flows, is the culmination of the dream of every housewife. Then there are barns, grain elevators, feeding lots, sheds and a garage, all of proportions sufficient to house the grain and care for the stock bred and in service on an immense farm.

Mr. Bird inherited a love for domestic animals and has bred, bought, fed and dealt in them for thirty years. At first he hoped that this branch of his business would supplement the earnings of the farm and help over some of the rough places, but latterly he has continued to handle them merely because he prefers to have them on the place so that he can admire their beauty and satisfy a fancy.

Miss Martha Ellen Lee and Daniel Greene Bird were married June 25h, 1884 in Barton County, and as a result nine children have been born. Three have passed from them by death; a son of twelve years being killed by lightning, and one of seventeen by drowning. Those living are: Anna May, Harry Clay, Elmer Joseph, Daniel Dee, Mary Frances and Ruth Allen. Mrs. Bird was born August 12th, 1859, in Knox County, Ohio, but is a member of and a close relation to the General Robert E. Lee family of Virginia, whose mother was a Custus and a near relative of Martha Washington.

"Stone Bridge Homestead," the home of Julius Both, fourteen miles west of Great Bend, takes its name from the first and only stone bridge built on Dry creek and was used as a lookout, or point of observation by Mr. Both at a time when he thought it was necessary to keep an eye on roving bands of Indians, and on the buffalo, antelope, deer, gray wolves and coyotes that infested the country in 1871. He came to the county in the spring of that year, and first worked for John Cook, Sr., and then engaged in hunting buffalo and other game for the first four or five years. In 1873 he entered his claim to a homestead, and that and later purchases make up the valuable farm of three hundred and twenty acres included in his home farm. He owns another half section in Pawnee county, and both places are well improved and in a high state of cultivation.

Julius Both claims to be the first white settler in Clarence township, and had as neighbors Judge Morton who doctored the community, and D. M. Woodburn, who were between him and the county seat. His first acquired property was a half starved horse located from his perch in "lookout tree," and this served to transport the game which he killed, but was not sufficient to break the soil to be cultivated, and what corn that was planted was placed in holes made in the turf with a hatchet. The garden was prepared in this way and cultivated with improvised implements made from whatever would best stir or turn the soil. There was little cultivated the first five years, and Mr. Both, John Gruber and others hunted the plains and often went as far west as Dodge City. They got their supplies and mail from Russell and Ellsworth, Kansas, and were usually absent from home, leaving the care of the family and little ones to the faithful wife. Her lot was not enviable, and the pioneer mothers of Barton County deserve great praise for their fortitude and devotion to their husbands and families.

Julius Both was born in the village of Linde, Germany, September 28th, 1844; served an apprenticeship as a miller, and followed the trade until coming to America in 1870. He first located at Fon Du Lac, Wisconsin, and found work in a sash factory. In the spring of 1871 he came to Barton Cunty. He married Miss Anna Baruth shortly before sailing from his home in Germany, and they are the parents of four children: Mrs. Matilda Merten, Mrs. Mary Spies and Kate and Tina Both. The children all reside at home and assist their parents on the farm with the exception of Mrs. Merten, and with the grand children make up a happy and contented family.

Thirty-two years has wrought great changes in the life of William Essmiller, and it is a pleasant task to record his success as a citizen of Barton County. He was born December 9, 1849, in the Province of Hanover, Germany, on a farm, and worked for his parents until coming to the United States in 1871. He first settled in LaCrosse County, Wisconsin, and worked as a farm hand until 1879, when he came to Barton County and made his home with Fred H. Miller, (a former school mate in the Old Country,) from whom he drew pay at the rate of $15 per month. Finally he and his brother Deitrich inherited about $2,000 from an estate in Germany and they formed a partnership under the name of Essmiller Brothers and bought railroad land. Their business was farming, but they bought, improved, sold and traded in lands when they had earned a surplus invested, and until a few years ago both families occupied the home on the D. Essmiller farm. Recently they have made a division of their holdings, and Wm. Essmiller owns his home farm, four miles west of Great Bend, which covers four hundred and eighty acres; eighty acres near Heizer, four hundred and eighty in Pawnee County, and a half interest in another section in Pawnee County, north of Rozel. These several tracts are all well improved and in cultivation, and are the choice bodies in their localities. The home farm is improved with a one story six room frame dwelling; a 36x66 barn with large hay loft and stalls for twenty horses; twenty-four milk cattle, and accommodation for twenty-four loose animals. The granary is 24x40 and there is a dairy and other small out buildings. Wheat, corn and alfalfa are the principal crops grown, but stock breeding is fast taking root on this farm, and a herd of thoroughbred Shorthorn cattle were in evidence, and numerous horses and mules of the best breeds for farm purposes. Mrs. Essmiller has her White Leghorn chickens and grows them for market, and in her model dairy makes fifty pounds of golden butter weekly to supply her city trade. She is a model housewife and has labored faithfully with her husband to achieve success.

William Essmiller and Miss Mary Nietfield, of Hanover, Germany, were married on September 12, 1882, in Barton County, Kansas, and they have one son, Robert H. Essmiller, who resides with his parents and assists in the management of the farms.

Among the many German-Americans who have made a success at farming in Barton County Hans Jurgensen has won his place, and is the proud owner of four hundred of as nice acres as there is to be found, twelve miles northwest of Great Bend. He has this all in a fine state of cultivation and highly improved, there being an imposing two story white frame residence to greet you as you enter the grounds and swing up the driveway, which is through waving meadows of alfalfa exuding sweet perfume. About the house is a large grass plot, and there are plants and shrubs and lofty trees forming the usual windbreak. The location is elevated and this building and the barns, elevator, granary, windmills, and other numerous outbuildings stand out prominently and seem to tower above others of the neighborhood. Here one can imagine the animation in the barn lots at night time, "when the lowing herds come home," and the numerous work animals are being unharnessed and fed; chickens and turkeys feeding for the night and the milking under way. It is then that the whole farm seems to rejoice and return thanks for the accomplishments of the day for there is a thankfulness overshadowing man, beast and fowl, if one can interpret the sighs of the weary work horses, the lowing of the kine, the laughter of childhood and the tunes whistled and sung by the farm help as they complete the days labors.

Hans Jurgensen was born in Germany on January 23rd, 1863, and came to the United States with his parents when six years of age, who located first on a farm twenty-five miles west of Nebraska City, Nebraska. He came to Barton County on December 24th, 1874, with his father, Marquardt Jurgensen, who homesteaded an eighty in section 28 and filed on eighty acres as a timber claim. In 1892 Hans began farming his own fields having purchased a quarter section for $2,100. In 1898 he added another eighty, paying for it $1,600, and at the death of his father he inherited one hundred and sixty acres. On March 22nd, 1886, he was married to Miss Josephine Burgtorf, of Buffalo township, and six children have been born, all of whom are at home with their parents: August William Christian, 24; Edward John, 22; Fred Henry, 21; Anna Dorothy, 19; Ida Mary, 17, and William Marquardt, 15.

It has always been a pleasure to trace the pen picture of a really successful man in any calling, and when that life has been passed close to nature the pleasure is ten fold. Trees, plants and flowers all serve a purpose and are beautiful beyond comparison, but growing crops have an added commercial attraction which have enchanted since time began. They people a land and sustain life, and the influence of the tiller is only gauged by the number of bushels produced. If that be true George A. Geil's influence is far reaching, because he owns and cultivates eight hundred acres in Barton, Pawnee and Ford counties, and at harvest time his granaries are filled to overflowing. That, in substance, is the result of thirty-three years of continued effort farming on the plains of Kansas.
George A. Geil is a native of Iowa and came to Barton County in the spring of 1878 a poor man, and for some years rented the land he farmed. Then be bought railroad land at a low price and on long time, but failing to make the payments it reverted to the original owners. Then the Santa Fe Railway Company added a few dollars to the price and resold him the land, and that time he made good and paid according to contract. He now owns the two hundred and forty on which he resides, fourteen miles west from Great Bend; eighty acres six miles west from Great Bend; one hundred and sixty in Pawnee County; one hundred and sixty midway between Rush Center and Rozel, and one hundred and seventy-five acres near Spearville, in Ford County. All these several tracts are in cultivation and have good improvements.

The improvements at the home farm are a very attractive eight room cottage, surrounded by a neat lawn and towering forest trees. It is painted a cast of gray and with its green surroundings looks cool and inviting on a sultry day. The barn is a large, roomy affair capable of housing much hay and grain, and the stabling capacity must be ample for the farm. This is painted the usual bright red cast and seems to light up and enliven the scene. The soil is good and the farm is in a high state of cultivation.

George A. Geil was born August 27th, 1857, near Martinsburg, Wapello County, Iowa. He was married on December 13, 1905, to Miss Minnie Schroeder, of Cedar County, Iowa. They have three bright little boys: Louis Jacob, 4 years of age; Herold Henry, 3 and Elmer Herman, 2.

The mother, Mrs. Louise Geil, wife of Jacob Giel, deceased, makes her home with her son. She was born in Germany, October 26th, 1833, and is seventy-eight years of age. She came to Kansas with her husband and eight children, George Adam, Andrew and Mrs. Katie LeRoy in 1878, Mrs. Henry Schroeder being born in Kansas and passed through all the rough periods of the formitive stage of the county. She is bright, strong and healthy and one can hardly imagine her age so advanced. Her husband, Jacob Geil, died December 11th, 1907, and lies buried in the Lutheran cemetery near the farm of his son. She was the mother of nine children in all, four boys and five girls. One boy died in infancy and a boy and three girls died from diphtheria the second year after coming to Kansas.

Among the large planters and property owners of Barton County William Werhahn deservedly takes his place, and although not a native born Kansan he is so much a Barton County product that he remembers little prior to his boyhood here. He was born in the Province of Hanover, Germany, November 20th, 1875; came to America the spring of 1882 with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Christian Werhahn of Great Bend, and they settled first near Grinnell, Iowa, on a farm. They also lived in Pouche and Marshall counties, Iowa, for about four years, and then came to Kansas, settling permanently in Pawnee Rock township, Barton County. William Werhahn was then but eleven years old. He attended the public schools of the district, chased rabbits, hunted game on the open prairie, broke bucking broncos and helped his father on the farm. His days were passed in the open and the Dutchman's son soon became a full fledged Kansas kid, with all his aims and desires. It is not wonderful then that he was early bitten by the "land-grabbing" microbe, and soon determined to own and farm his share of the face of the earth. When married and settled he bought a quarter section from his father; later he bought one hundred and sixty acres from Peter Dirks, and still later he rented two hundred and eighty acres adjoining, and today farms a total of six hundred acres. During the time he also acquired by purchase three hundred and twenty acres near Greensburg, Kiowa County, and three hundred and twenty near Offerle. These two last named tracts are improved and rented, and his total holdings in fee are nine hundred and sixty acres of as fine land as there is in the state. His residence is thirteen and one-half miles west of Great Bend, and the improvements are a two story white frame house, a 32x66x16 red frame barn, having stalls for eighteen horses and twenty cattle. Then there are other small buildings, sheds and numerous windmills, with a nice grove surrounding all.

William Werhahn and Miss Bertha Fleske, of Wausau, Wisconsin, were married on February 1st, 1905, and they have been blessed with three interesting children: Bertha, 6; Hilda, 4 and Martha, 3.

"Golden Grain Farm," the home of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Drehle, is six miles west of Great Bend, and it has been properly named, because it was the intention of the owners to honor for all time the golden cereal that has made the name of Barton County famous wherever wheat products are in use. This is the "banner county," and it is Mr. Drehle's intention to make his the "banner farm," and if one can judge from the character of cultivation the soil is getting this season his future crops will tax some of his neighbors to beat. He is a good and successful farmer, as his fields and granaries both prove, and when he has been a resident of the county for twenty-five years his history, if written then, will appear just as miraculous in a financial way as do some of the others at this date.

Henry Drehle was born on May 1, 1869, and has been a farmer all his life. His first venture at farming was in Carroll County, Mo., and he remained there until 1900, when he removed his family to Barton County, Kansas, and rented land for three years. In 1903 he bought the one hundred and sixty acres where he now resides, and that, and a quarter that is leased, make up the three hundred and twenty that is cultivated. The improvements consist of a modern one story frame cottage containing seven rooms, which is high above ground, enclosed by a neat fence in which there are a number of forest trees, shrubs, plants and flowers. The barn is 32x50, is well arranged, and accommodates large quantities of hay and has many stalls; and there is a granary and other necessary buildings, besides several windmills and a young orchard. These buildings are all new, beautifully painted, and from the roadway present a scene of comfort and thrift.

Henry Drehle and Miss Ellen Stork, of Carroll County, Mo., were married in February, 1896, and they have five very interesting living children, viz: Willie, 14; Katie, 12; George, 10; Annie, 6 and Charlie, 3.

The struggle and privations of earlier days on the farm in Barton County were still fresh in her memory when Mrs. Katie LeRoy was left a widow, in 1899, with six dependent boys, the oldest being about twelve. But she has proven that she was equal to the task of rearing them and managing her farms at the same time by the condition of both; for the boys are as fine, healthy and gentlemanly a bunch of youngsters as one meets any day, and the fields are in a high state of cultivation. It is true that some of these boys are young gentlemen now, and all are able to do a man's work on the place; but this was not always so, and the mind that controlled them and the hand that guided deserves to be revered above all others. Women farmers are rare and deserve great praise when unhampered by other ties, but when we find one who has carried a double burden through to success we feel that all should worship at her shrine and say "well done." That she has made a great success is proven by the fact that she owns one hundred and sixty acres where she resides, eight miles west of Great Bend, and another tract of eighty acres one and one-half miles south and six and one-half miles west of the same city. Both of these tracts are improved and under cultivation, and the home farm has a large frame residence, surrounded by a beautiful grove of forest trees, a large barn that will house the stock of the farm, and numerous other buildings that have their uses on a place like this. The sons, one and all, must follow the lead taken by their mother and must all be rustlers born, because the farm looks as well tilled as any of the adjoining fields, and we saw the very best span of young mules, bred and broken on this farm, that has been produced in the county in years.

Phillip O. LeRoy and Miss Katie Gell were married in Barton County, March 20th, 1896, and Mr. LeRoy died January 31st, 1899, and lies buried in the Lutheran cemetery, near the farm of George A. Geil in the western part of the county. Mrs. Katie LeRoy is the daughter of Jacob and Louise Geil, who came to Barton County in May, 1878, and settled in the western part of the county. She is the mother of six boys: Andrew, George, Harry, Jacob and Ray and Roy, the latter two being twins.

"The Ideal Farm," the home of Herman and Augusta Neese Tammen, thirteen miles west of Great Bend, covers three hundred and twenty acres of the best farm land in Barton County. The soil was naturally rich, but after nineteen years of constant effort it has been brought to such a high state of improvement that it is now one of show places of the county. The chief feature to attract is a wall-like grove of locust and box eider which surround and cover five acres about the residence and effectually isolates it. But if you enter the driveway, beneath a bower of overhanging bows, a court and grass plot meets the view in the center. A one-story, eight room frame residence, setting high and balconied, stands to the right. On the left stands a 32x54 barn and an 18x50 shed and an 8,000 bushels capacity elevator and good Fairbanks scales. To the rear of these is the orchard. In front is the garage, chicken houses, dairy and other buildings. Cement walks lead to these, and the well kept lawn is relieved by plants and flowers. The deep shade and ever changing natural tints are relieved by the tastefully painted buildings and the flowering plants. An engine supplies water distributed through the house and other buildings, and an electric dynamo lights them and supplies the power to propel a separator, churns and washing machine. A 10 horse power engine is used to elevate the grain and to clean and grind the feed of the farm. The house is furnished both tastefully and elegantly and its hospitality is dispensed by a model housewife. In fact there is nothing cheap about the farm or premises and it is well named, "The Ideal Farm."

Herman Tammen was born September 2, 1875, in Hanover Province, Germany, and in 1892, when 16 years of age, came to America and his education was acquired in the mother country, with a few terms in our public schools. His parents died when he was a small boy. He soon purchased two hundred and forty acres of land, and later a tract of eighty acres more and these make up the resident farm. Besides this he owns a section in Pawnee county, and a half section in Ford.
Herman Tammen and Miss Augusta Louisa Mary Neese were married on October 28, 1898, at the brides home in Rush County. They have been blessed with five lovely children: Minnie Christina Mary, 9; Harry Conrad, 8; Hilda Frances, 6; Rosa Louisa, 4, and Herman August, 2.

The "Greenwood Farm," the country home of Chris and Mary Johnson, four and one-half miles west of Great Bend, is one of the best improved farms along the road on which the residence fronts. The house is one and one-half story frame containing ten rooms; and the barn is 32x42, and has mow and stable room for all animals bred and in service on the farm. Then there are other necessary outbuildings, windmills, an artificial lake, an orchard, and a fine grove of forest trees. This farm was not purchased until 1894, and has not been in cultivation as long as some others, but the improvements are all of a substantial character, and the cultivation of the fields stamps Mr. Johnson as a painstaking farmer and one sure to succeed in his chosen calling. The fencing is in a good condition and everything about the premises is neat and tidy.

Chris Johnson was born on October 22nd, 1859, in Denmark, and came to America in 1878, when nineteen years of age. He first landed in New York and from there went into Illinois, where he secured work making tile to drain the low lands of several counties. His headquarters were in Champaigne County until March 12th, 1884, when he came to Barton County, Kansas. At first he rented the McBride farm, three miles west of Great Bend, and put in a crop and then on February 13th, 1885, married Miss Mary Hanson, of Jackson, Kansas. They have been blessed with five children: Herman O., 23; Gilbert M., 21; Victor D., 18; Alexander H., 11, and Mary Christina, 9.

The farm owned by Mr. Johnson covers one hundred and sixty acres and cost $1,500 in 1894, but he rents an adjoining quarter and cultivates three hundred and twenty acres. This makes a nice farm, and as he and his family are economical and good workers it is expected that they will be among the large future land owners of Barton County.

Henry Witte was born December 4th, 1842, in the Province of Hanover, Germany, and is in his sixty-ninth year. He emigrated to America in the spring of 1867, when twenty-four years of age; and located first in LaCrosse County, Wisconsin, where he was told of the great possibilities of the country being reclaimed from the desert in Kansas. He went, however, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and in three or four years returned to Wisconsin where he remained until the spring of 1880, when he came to Barton County, Kansas. He was at first a renter of land in the neighborhood of his present home, two and one-hair miles south of Heizer, but finally purchased a half section of land from the Santa Fe railway company, paying five or six dollars per acre, in payments which run from three to eleven years. He was married on February 22, 1884, to Miss Sophia D. Meyer of LaCrosse County, Wisconsin, and of this union was born eight children. A few years since he separated from his wife and family, deeding to them the south eighty, and retaining the north half. He has since built a house, barn and other buildings on his portion and has it in a fine state of cultivation.

During his residence in Barton County he has passed through several disastrous years, but has been able to improve both the north and south halves of his original quarter in a substantial manner. Taking the circumstances into account Mr. Witte's success has been phenomenal, and could only have been possible on land as productive as that which he owns.

It has always been a saying, "That the man who drinks from a Kansas stream will later return," and this trite proverb has proven true in the instance of Frank Spaniol, who, in 1895, was a resident of Reno County for two seasons, but, on account of crop failures, returned to his former home in Illinois thoroughly disgusted with Kansas, and Kansas farming. He had, however, "drank of the stream," and after a nine years struggle with the Kansas microbe he returned to this state and has since made his home five miles west of Great Bend. As he is now well satisfied with conditions in his adopted state we give his history, Francis (Frank) Spaniol was born August 27, 1870, on a farm in Livingston County, Illinois, and was educated in the public schools of that state. He grew to manhood there and became a successful farmer under the instruction of his father, and at his death inherited eighty acres of choice land near Flanagan, Illinois. This he still owns; has it in a high state of cultivation and rented to a tenant. In 1892 he was married and began farming this tract; but at the instance of his father he came to Reno County, Kansas in 1895 and attempted to make a home in this state. After two unsuccessful crop seasons he decided he had enough of this poverty stricken state and returned to his old home and farm. The next year after he left this state crop conditions changed for the better and the Kansas granaries would hardly hold the harvests. Then he saw his mistake and on April 1, 1906, came to Barton County and purchased the hundred and sixty acres on which he lives. This is in a high state of cultivation and is improved with a six room frame cottage, a good barn, granary and other out buildings. He rents an adjoining quarter and farms 320 acres. There is a young orchard and a nice grove of forest trees surrounding the home that attracts and screens the home from the roadway.

Francis Spaniol and Miss Lena Gerdson, of Livingston County, Illinois, were united in marriage on April 19, 1892, and this union has been blessed with two children: Katherine Mary, 18, Alfred Adam, 14. They are both at home and gladden "Fruit Farm," the name recently given their new Kansas home.

"Golden Cereal Farm," the home of Frederick Henry and Lizzie Wagner Wolf, is located five and one-half miles west from Great Bend, and is so named because the soil has been proven to be so well adapted to growing the "golden cereal" that has made the county so famous as a wheat grower. It contains four hundred acres of as fertile soil as there is in Buffalo township, or in fact in the whole of Kansas. It is improved with a story and a half frame residence with six large airy rooms; a large 40x80 barn, granary and other outbuildings, and these are so located that they show to the best advantage. The crops are corn, Kaffir corn, wheat, alfalfa and native grasses, and is adapted to growing these and other crops and the breeding of horses, mules, cattle, hogs and poultry. Stock and poultry are bred to a limited extent, but wheat - the staple crop of this section - is king of this farm and covers the major portion of the fields. Corn and wheat are the crops most grown in Illinois, where Mr. Wolf grew to manhood, and it was natural that he should attempt them here where they grow best of all crops, and with less labor than most. The fields, however, show the constant effort of an industrious husbandman, and the granaries that his labor has been rewarded.

Frederick H. Wolf was born on September 25th, 1869, in Madison County, Illinois, and was married to Miss Lizzie Wagner of Norborne, Carrolton County, Mo., on September 24th, 1893. They have one interesting child of ten, Tillie Annie Mary, who gladdens their hearts and brings sunshine to the home. They came to Barton County in the fall of 1901, bought the four hundred acres on which they reside, and are classed among the most substantial and most highly respected citizens of the county.

The hundred and sixty acres, eight miles west of Great Bend, which is the farm of Thomas Butler Johnson, has been christened "Pleasant View Farm," because it lies in a spot that affords a fine view of the surrounding country. It was first the home of his parents, John W. and Rosanna Johnson, who in 1874 homesteaded eighty acres of this tract, and bought an additional eighty. They came to Barton County, Kansas, in 1874 from Madison County, Iowa, when Thomas B. was but three years of age; and the father, John W. Johnson, was born in Indiana March 13, 1835, and died February 15th, 1902; and the mother, Rosanna Johnson, was born in Pennsylvania in 1836 and died November 4th, 1906. Both are buried in the Everett cemetery, eight miles west of Great Bend. They were survived by two children, viz: Franklin Henry and Thomas Butler Johnson. The interests of these heirs were purchased by Thomas B. Johnson, who is now the sole owner, and it appears to be a valuable property. It is well improved and in a high state of cultivation. The residence is a story and a half frame, with six airy rooms. The barn is large and will accommodate much hay and many farm animals; and there is a combined granary and buggy shed; other out buildings, windmills, etc.

Thomas Butler Johnson was born on January 19th, 1872, and was married to Miss Myrtle Ivo Showers, of Grundy County, Mo., on November 22nd, 1899. They have been the parents of four children, two of whom are living: Lillie Belle 9, and Mabel Fern 7.

Mr. Johnson owns twenty lots in College Grove Addition to Great Bend and has other interests in the county.

The life story of William Mull who owns a four hundred and eighty acre farm ten miles southwest of Great Bend, deserves a prominent place in the History of Barton County, because of the success he has made of life. He was born July 4, 1872, in Staunton, Illinois, his father's death occurring shortly after. His mother, Mrs. Louisa Mull, married Frederick Viehl and he came with them to Barton County, Kansas, arriving on September 10, 1878. His stepfather homesteaded eighty acres, but died on August 17, 1895, the mother also died in October, 1900. Their real and personal property was heavily mortgaged and was sold to pay their debts, and at twenty-three William Mull faced the world without credit or money. He had, however, in the fall of 1892, begun farming on rented land with a part of his step-father's mortgaged horses and implements, and to hold them for use paid interest as high as 18 per cent to 24 per cent. The period between 1893 and 1896 were disastrous and all was lost or paid out on debts; but in 1897 a crop was made and he purchased his first hundred and sixty acres, which is a part of his present farm. Later he bought three hundred and twenty acres adjoining and farms four hundred and eighty acres, the equal of any in the county. He has this improved with a two story frame residence containing eleven rooms; a very attractive barn 32x38, with large hay loft and stalls for sixteen horses; an elevator with capacity of 10,000 bushels, and sundry other outbuildings. He cultivates wheat and corn exclusively, and breeds only a limited number of horses, cattle and hogs for his own needs; but he makes every acre a productive one and the hard times of the '90's seems far back in the distance. It took, however, great will power and fortitude to pass that period, and he learned lessons then that will last for all time.

William Mull and Miss Anna Puttner, of Olmitz, Kansas, were married on November 10, 1895, and they have been blessed by five children: John Frederick, 15; Mary Louisa, 13; William Joseph, 9; Elmer, 5, and Lillie Josephine, 2.

William Mull is not old and the boys call him "Bill," and for this reason he loves "the whole Bill family." Sometimes he becomes reminiscent and tells things happening in the past. When we met him Bill Townsley was in his mind, and for fear that Bill might fail to mention the circumstance in his own biography, wants it known that Will Townsley worked for him in the harvest of 1897; and that the pay was 75 cents per day. He labored faithfully for two days, but on the third quit at noon. Going to town he found his parents had left for Denver, and followed, but on arriving there he failed to make connection with the family purse and became stranded in a strange city. How he got home is the best treasured joke of Bill Mull's life, for a month after harvest Bill Townsley and a centenarian burro drew up in a ramshackle cart at the gate; collected $1.87-1/2 and departed for town. When "Bill" denies and "Bill" affirms, it is hard for a historian to record it as a positive fact. Ask "Bill."

THE life story of Christian S. Schultz, of "Upland Farm," six miles north of Pawnee Rock, stamps him as more enterprising and skillfull than the average immigrant from Poland, West Russia, who came with him in 1875, and settled the Mennonite colony one mile east of Dundee. He was born on March 11, 1842, on a farm in Russia-Poland, attended school for about one month and at the age of fifteen left his home for South Russia. He worked for two years on a farm to accumulate enough to clothe himself for the next three years, and then apprenticed himself to a manufacturer and learned to be a blacksmith and wheelwright. This took three years and he worked for his board; but in 1862 he began drawing pay, and this was increased from time to time during the next twelve years with the factory, until he became one of their very best workmen and the best paid. During this time he built a carriage for the firm which took first prize in competition with the builders of other nations at the Worlds Fair held in St. Petersburg in 1871. In 1874 he came to America and worked for one year in a wagon factory in Latonia, Ohio, and in 1875 came to Barton County with neighbors from the section of his birth place and became a member of the settlement near Dundee. At that date he was thirty-three years of age and by strict economy had saved from his earnings, about $3,000, and with this he bought a quarter section for the use of the colony; built the best house in the settlement, and assisted others less fortunate to make their start in this new world. When this colony disbanded he purchased the hundred and sixty acres called "Upland Farm," and this he has improved with a large two story frame, with nine large rooms, a large barn and other outbuildings, and it is one of the best stocked and best cultivated tracts of the neighborhood. He also owns another quarter in Pawnee Rock township; a quarter in Liberty township and another near Greensburg, Kansas, a total of six hundred and forty acres.

One year after his arrival in this country Christian S. Schultz and Miss Lena Rudiger, of Russia-Poland, were married in Barton County, Kansas, and to them fourteen children were born, twelve of whom survive. They are: Samuel, C., Henry and Abram Schultz and Mrs. Lizzie Dirks, all of Pawnee Rock township; Mrs. Eva Base and Mary Richert, near Greensburg; Mrs. Minnie Boese, Dundee; Mrs. Susan Smith, Pawnee County; Miss Tena Schultz, a nurse in a hospital at Newton, and Peter, Lena and Martha Schultz, who reside at home.

Mrs. Lena Rudiger Schultz died on March 29, 1904, and lies buried in the Dundee cemetery, mourned by her husband and children and a large circle of neighbors and friends by whom she was loved and respected after many years of association in this new land.

Home-making has been the sentiment that has peopled the plains of Kansas and settled its towns and cities, and to this one sentiment is due the present prosperous condition of a great state. It has been fostered by a generous government and state; assisted by the great railway and the press, and today is the ruling passion in the breast of every true householder. It fired the ambition of the early pioneer and sustained his frail arm and weak body until he performed herculean feats in taming an unwilling soil until it gave up its treasures in blossoms and grain. The first has made the land worth living in and the last sustained life and provided a heritage for coming generations. It was this sentiment that induced Mr. and Mrs. John C. Bauer, three and one-half miles northeast of Pawnee Rock, to come to Barton County, Kansas, endure the privations of the pioneer days and hold steadfastly to this one sentiment when there appeared no hope of accomplishing their cherished dream. But pluck and energy prevailed and today they own one of the neatest homes in the entire county, and a half section of its best land.

John C. Bauer was born on November 16, 1837, in the Province of Bavaria, Germany, and in 1847 came to America with his parents, who remained in New York City for nine months and then permanently settled at Cincinnati, Ohio. He was educated in the public schools of that city, and learned the trade of boilermaker, and followed that trade. In some of the largest works of that city until January, 1878, when he came to Barton County. He at first bought eighty acres of railroad land and entered a timber claim of eighty acres; and then in 1885 bought an additional quarter section. On this he has built a neat cottage with six rooms; a good barn, granary and other outbuildings; planted trees and put the whole in the highest possible state of cultivation.

John C. Bauer was married on October 22, 1860, to Miss Margaret Bauer of Cincinnati, O., and they have four living children: John G. Bauer, Radium, Kansas; Mrs. Anna Shafer, Sterling, Kansas; Mrs. Lena Hartman, Morrel, Ohio and Robert L. Bauer of Pawnee Rock township.

Among the pioneer citizens of Barton County, John Lile, who lives two and one-half miles west of Dundee, may be classed, because it was on May 2, 1872, that he first settled in the county on a homestead entered in the neighborhood of his present home. At that period he says he was not favorably impressed with the locality as a farming locality; but as he was a young man then, and game was plentiful on the plains he considered it wise to set up a home. Buffalo, antelope and other wild game was in abundant and he at first made good wages by following the chase, and he killed and skinned buffalo for a number of years and sold the meat and hides. In this business he became acquainted with most of the old timers of the early days, but hunted most with Newt Smith, of Pawnee Rock, Judge Morton, (deceased,) and George Lile, a brother who died some years ago. They had great sport and often went as far west as Dodge City on their trips. By that means he was permitted to see that frontier town when it was passing through its toughest period, and if he would he could recount some thrilling encounters between some of the bad men of that day. When the buffalo got scarce he gave his time to farming with about the same result as others of his section; but after a number of bad crop years sold his homestead for a small price and has rented the land since farmed. At present he is a tenant of his daughter, Mrs. Sarah Gilbert, and at seventy-nine years of age is able to do most of the work. His wife is also well preserved and has been a true helpmeet during a life of exposure on the plains.
John Lile was born December 11, 1832, in Adams County, Illinois, and grew to manhood on a farm. He married Miss Evaline Duff, of Adams County, Illinois on October 10, 1861, and they have been the parents of eight children. Six are still living, as follows: Albert Lile, Pawnee Rock; Mrs. Ida Smith, Pawnee Rock; Wm. Henry Lile, near Pawnee Rock; Mrs. Sarah Gilbert, Pawnee Rock; Harry N. Lile, near Pawnee Rock and Mrs. Ada Gano, of Hutchinson, Kansas.

Mr. Lile is at this time a great believer in the wonderful productiveness of the soil of Barton County, but when be first came here he considered it of little agricultural value. Grass, trees or vegetation could hardly be coaxed to grow, and the soil was so hard that the rain would not penetrate the earth. His testimony is that cultivation made the seasons and the crops that afterward came, and that a great debt is due those who come first and persisted until the present conditions prevailed.

The family of Thomas and Mary Malia Keenan, who located a homestead six miles southwest of Great Bend, are probably as well and favorably known as any in Barton County. They were the first to show their confidence in the soil by building the best country residence in the county - a two story frame with ten rooms - and otherwise improving a farm of five hundred and forty acres. This was built by Luther Frost, one of the first builders to locate in Great Bend, and stands today as a monument to his skill. Thomas Keenan, sr., was born in Ireland on February 1, 1834, and came to the United States in 1861, marrying Miss Mary Malia, of Lowell, Mass., in March, 1871. They first made their home in Massachusetts, but later moved to Utica, Mo. While in the last named state Mr. Keenan found work in the construction department of a railway and became proficient as a builder; and when he came to Barton County, Kansas, in the fall of 1872, he soon found employment with the Santa Fe system, which was then building westward through the state. He first held the position of conductor of a construction train running between Newton, Kansas, and the Colorado line; but later, in order to be near his family, took charge of a section between Great Bend and Dundee. He served this company for five years and then retired to his farm. He died on June 11, 1900, and Mrs. Mary Malia Keenan also died on April 30, 1910. They were the parents of ten children: John Keenan, who died July 23, 1888; James Keenan, of Grove, Arizona; Mrs. Ellen Nally, San Francisco, Calif.; Frank Keenan, Kansas City; Martin Keenan, near Heizer; Thomas B. Keenan, who died April 7, 1906; Miss Mary Keenan, Michael James Keenan, Miss Kathleen C. Keenan and William Patrick Keenan.

Since the death of the parents the estate has been divided and the home farm reduced to two hundred and forty acres. This has been named "Keenancroft," and is owned by Miss Mary, Miss Kathleen C., and William P. Keenan; the latter being in charge of the farm. The residence and surroundings have grown more beautiful with the years, and the grove of forest trees is very inviting. A new barn 32x36 has just taken the place of one destroyed by fire, and some granaries, machine sheds, etc., built, which adds to the conveniences of the place. It is provided with all late day implements and the better grades of stock, and continues to hold its place among the best tilled farms of Barton County.

Samuel C. and Lizzie Schultz, who have named their farm in Liberty township, four miles northwest of Dundee, and ten miles southwest of Great Bend, "Fairhaven," are among the younger generation of farmers in this county. Mr. Schultz is the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Christian S. Schultz of Pawnee Rock township, and was born on July 12, 1876. The privations of his earlier years were such as to make him learn the value of money and the results to be obtained by hard work, and these two characteristics are stamped on every feature of his surroundings. He owns in fee simple one hundred and sixty acres of as fine farm land as there is in Barton County, and rents one hundred and forty adjoining. His farm, therefore, covers three hundred acres, and is in the highest possible state of cultivation. His residence is a two story frame containing ten large airy rooms. It is surrounded by numerous forest trees and a young orchard, and there are enough shrubs and plants within the paled yard to make the place very inviting. The barn, granaries, automobile garage, and various other outbuildings are all new, commodious and in fine condition, and make the farm present a very substantial and prosperous condition. Mr. Schultz also owns three acres near the town of Dundee and has just built thereon a good four room cottage for rent to a tenant.

On February 13, 1898, when the prospects for crops were about the same as they had been for the past five years - total failures - Samuel C. Schultz and Miss Lizzie Unruh, of Lone Tree township, McPherson County, Kansas, were married, and the two went to farming for themselves. That they have succeeded is proven both by their surroundings and by the five handsome children of which they are the parents: Lena, 13; Clara, 12; Edward, 10; Lincoln, 8 and Ella, 7.

When Howard Paine, the poet-diplomat, wrote "Home, Sweet Home," he was exiled far from his native land and the comforts of home. Sick and near death he gave his soul to a song that is sung and cherished in all lands, and its influence is worldwide. Until recently this simple song was his only monument; but before it all nations bowed and by example made their home life more endurable. When this song was written Kansas was a plain over which buffalo roamed; but when settlement came and good crops with it the home sentiment took root and today there is a strife between the resident farmers to see who can make their home the most attractive. Henry C. Schultz, of "Hillcrest Farm," five and one-half miles north of Pawnee Rock, has been most fortunate in his effort to beautify his hundred and sixty acres. His residence, a two story frame, with nine rooms and a basement, is perched on a hill that it may be seen from afar. It is painted white and enclosed by a fence, impaling plants, shrubs and flowers. The barn, granary, dairy and other buildings add to the effect and complete a picture of one of the most attractive residences in the county.

Henry C. Schultz was born on July 15th, 1877, in Pawnee Rock township, Barton County, and has lived close to nature all his life. He was educated in the public schools of his district and assisted his parents on their farm. On February 23rd, 1897, he was married to Miss Effie Dirks, of Barton County, and they have been blessed with three children: Lorena, 12: Doris, 9 and Bert 6.

He purchased his farm on April 12, 1904, and began his improvements, and today has one of the choice tracts in his vicinity. The soil is very rich and productive, and when one looks over his fields it is easy to see that he is a painstaking farmer.

The man who can pay 36 per cent interest on borrowed money, through a period of hard times and poor crop years is bound to come out on top. That sort of perseverance tells shortly and plainly how and why Andrew J. Deckert of "Plainview Farm," six miles north of Pawnee Rock and 15 miles southwest of the county seat has amassed the comfortable fortune that he possesses. Andrew J. Deckert was born January 13, 1865, in Russian-Poland, and while only a baby his father died. His mother married Peter H. Dirks and Andrew Deckert was eight years of age when he came to this county with his mother and step-father in the winter of 1863. The family located on the timber claim of 160 acres on section 6, two and one-half miles northwest of Dundee, but now live ten miles southwest of Great Bend.

Andrew started out for himself when he became of age and on November 18, 1886 was married to Miss Susan Boese of Pawnee Rock township. Ten children were born to the union: Minnie who married Henry Jantzen and Anna who married Luis Jantzen, both of Pawnee County. The other children live at home.

Mr. and Mrs. Deckert started in 1886 with nothing and it wasn't long until they thought they had even less than that. They rented land at first and while crops were of varying yields managed to get along. Then is 1891 when he had saved $1,000, he bought a farm and made this as a payment on the same. There were four years of bad crops and he lost the entire payment. Undaunted he went ahead, paid 36 per cent interest on borrowed money and in 1896 paid out on a new contract which he had made for farm land. He now owns 320 acres of land in section 7, the home place, 160 acres over in section 8 and 160 acres in Pawnee County. The home place is one of the modernly improved farms of the county and is fixed up in the best of shape. The house is a one and a half story structure, containing 11 rooms, the upper story being arranged with dormer windows in the gables which give the house a good appearance and leaves plenty of room. There are large barns and other buildings and one of the chief buildings of interest on the farm is a large elevator, which houses 9,000 bushels of grain.

One and one-half miles south of Heizer, Barton County, Kansas, is the one and sixty acre tract of Fred Trauer, and it is as pretty a piece of tillable land as one would care to farm. It contains a small orchard and is planted with wheat and corn. He purchased the place in 1898, it formerly having been the homestead of A. M. Burt. It is nicely fenced and divided into fields, and is in a high state of cultivation; but the buildings are those purchased with the farm and are hardly as good as he would like and it is his intention to replace them with more modern structures at no distant day.

Fred Trauer was born on November 1, 1866, in Holland, Germany, and his parents emigrated to the United States in 1868 and settled in Dearborn County, Indiana, and in 1878, when he was twelve years of age, they came to Barton County, Kansas. He was educated in the public schools and assisted his parents on the farm until he was a man in stature, and then he became a renter on his own account and farmed for several years; or until 1898, when he bought the quarter section on which he lives. The period between 1893 to 1897, when he was struggling to make enough on the rented land to make a first payment on land he might purchase he recalls with many shakes of the head, because that was the saddest period of his entire life and his greatest struggle.

Fred Trauer and Miss Matilda Burgtorf were married on September 16, 1897, and they are the parents of six children, to-wit: Betta, 12; Louis, 11, Lena, 9; Albert, 6, Edna, 4 and Freddie, 2.

Mrs. Matilda Trailer is the third child of August and Caroline Burgtorf, who settled in the county, two and one-half miles south of Heizer, about 1872. They drove overland from Cape Geradeau County, Mo., and on the way fell in with the teams of E. L. Chapman, who was enroute with his family to make their home in this county. Mr. Burgtorf died in 1882, leaving a widow and six children who are still residents of the county.

To attempt the biography of William James Fee in the space at command would be impossible, because he has probably lived more in his allotted time than most of the resident farmers of Barton County. He was born June 16th, 1838, on a farm near Laurel, Clearmont County, Ohio, and in 1859, when twenty-one years of age, was attracted by the gold excitement in California, and decided that that was the shortest route to attain both fortune and fame among those with whom he had grown to manhood. An expedition was fitting out in Omaha, Nebraska, to cross the plains by ox teams via the Northern Platte route, and this he and his companions joined and consumed six weary months in the journey. The California-Oregon trail was conceded to be a favorable passway, but those who made the trip recount many hardships and the written history of that time proves that those who made the trip possessed stout hearts. In haying time Honey Lake Valley, California, was reached and Mr. Fee piled hay until fall and then took up placer mining for a company, and was launched in the business that he had crossed many weary miles to attempt, and his eyes at last feasted on the gold that had lured, and which has been the making and unmaking of man in all ages. A farm hand in Ohio received at that time $8 per month, and $2.50 a day mining seemed a fortune for a time, but as the golden microbe assumed dominion, and as he had learned during his experience how to do all classes of mining; prospect work was taken up with more or less favorable results. The year 1862 found him in Idaho, where he worked for others, prospected on his own account, owned a pack train which made regular trips out of Boise City; and at one time owned a flume in California that conducted water to the mines. His mining experience covered districts in California, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona and in the Black Hills in Dakota, during the excitement of 1875-6, and ended at Tombstone, Arizona, in 1886. During these years of search he was rewarded many times and had fortune within his grasp; but owing to many causes - the lack of sufficient capital being the greatest obstacle - he was forced to abandon them to the next claimant, who frequently made his fortune. One instance recalled sold for $100,000 after slight additional development, and there were others that promised as well. His labors were often in a country overrrun with hostile Indians, and where if their claims had any shadow of right in the eyes of the government at Washington the regular troops took the side of the Redman and the miner was at the mercy of both factions. The reward, however, while fought for in contests that tried the man, netted as much in dollars as could have been earned in a life time of peace on an Ohio farm, and Mr. Fee is now well satisfied to rest at ease on his Kansas acres and recount what he has passed through.

Satisfied that he could not "buck nature single-handed" in February, 1886, Wm. J. Fee, wife and son came to Barton County and purchased the right to a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, entered by one Hemmingway, seven miles west from Great Bend. This he afterward proved up in his own name, and later buying another quarter, he now owns and cultivates a half section. it is well improved and in a high state of cultivation.

William James Fee and Miss Elizabeth T. Haines, of New Richmond, Clearmont County, Ohio, were married in September, 1881, at Santa Fe New Mexico, and have one son, Charles Haines Fee, 27, who resides with them.

To the old settler who blazed the way for the present generation the time seems short since they themselves were the principal actors in the tragic occurrences which transpired while building the foundation for the "Banner County" of the great State of Kansas; but a new people are fast taking their places as workers in the field that is so inviting and among these is Michael J. Keenan, the fifth son of Thomas and Mary Keenan, who came to Barton County in 1871 and located three and one-half miles northeast of Dundee. He has christened his place "Alfalfadale" and it covers two hundred acres of the most fertile land of his locality and if one may judge by the appearance of his fields he learned industry and management from the teachings of the father. His house is a two story white frame building containing six rooms, neatly enclosed by a wire fence. There are a few stately trees and enough plants and shrubs on the grass plot to make it inviting. The barn is large and contains grain bins, hay loft and stalls for numerous horses and cattle, and there are several outbuildings. These buildings have all been recently erected and painted and present the appearance of a newly made home.

Michael J. Keenan was born on April 30, 1875, in Great Bend, Kansas, was educated in the public schools of the district, and grew to manhood on his father's farm in the neighborhood of his present home. He made two attempts at home making in Oklahoma previous to his purchase of the home described above, when the government was allotting lands in that territory. One was a claim near Cleo, Oklahoma and the other twenty miles northeast of Hobart, Oklahoma. The first of these was contested and lost by a suit in the courts, and the second was sold for a small sum because of its minor estimated value.

Michael J. Keenan and Miss Catherine Murphy, the eldest daughter of Patrick E. and Margaret Welch Murphy, of Barton County, were united in marriage on November 3, 1904, and they are the parents of four interesting children: Marguerite Mary, 6; Lorene and Norene (twins), and Mary Eileen, 1.

ONE of the neatest appearing of the many fine farm homes in Barton County is that of Arthur Leroy Fish, located about seven and one-half miles northeast of Great Bend. Mr. Fish came to this county with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Fish when he was seven years of age. This was in 1878. He was born in Lee County, Illinois, June 13, 1871. He lived there until he was four years old when the family moved to Iowa and after spending three years in that state continued on westward and arrived in Barton County in 1877. The elder Mr. Fish located on school land on what is now Mr. Fish's home place in Lakin township. This place consists of 160 acres and it is apparent to the casual observer that Mr. Fish takes a great pride in his home as is evidenced by the neat arrangement of the buildings, orchard, shade trees, etc. Mr. Fish was married in Barton county in 1898 to Miss Marie Horton and they are the parents of two children: Avis Laura, 12 years of age and Grace Ellen, four years of age. Both the children are being educated in the schools of the county. Mr. Fish is a member of the National Short Horn Breeders' Association and until recently made a specialty of breeding and raising Short Horn cattle. He still owns several head of this well known breed of animals and later on may again go into the business of breeding and raising them on a more extensive scale. The residence on the home place contains eight rooms with bath, closets, etc. The barn is well built and is 40 by 42 feet in dimensions. Mr. Fish is a typical citizen of Barton County who came here at a time when it required all kinds of faith in the future to stick to the land and develop it until it reached its present high state of cultivation.

Christian Koopman was born in Germany in 1845, and came to America when he was twenty years of age. He located first in Indiana where he remained for fifteen years and where he was married to Miss Minnie Panne in 1880. They are the parents of seven children. They came to Barton County in 1880 and Mr. Koopman at once took up the business of farming. He died May 15, 1900, and was survived by his wife and all the children. The children are as follows: George, 31 years of age, is now engaged in the plumbing and fitting business and is a member of the firm of Koopman & Fankhauser of Great Bend; Emma, 29 years of age is now Mrs. George L. Lucas; William, 28 years; Carl, 25 years; Edward, 22 years; Leo, 19 and Lillian 16 years, are all living on the home place east of Great Bend. The estate consists of 240 acres of land in Great Bend township about two and a half miles east of Great Bend, and a quarter section of land in Stafford County. The home place is being farmed by the four younger boys and they maintain the home place in a most productive manner. The residence consists of eight rooms. In addition to the closets, etc., and the barn is 56 by 42 feet in dimensions. Mrs. Koopman also owns 127 acres two miles north of the home place and a quarter section three miles north of the home place. Mr. and Mrs. Koopman came to Barton County at a time when the land needed development and it required a great deal of hard work to bring the soil to a state of productiveness where farming could be done at a profit. Mr. Koopman succeeded however and he was known and liked by the people of the county who came here in the 80's and withstood the hardships that were necessary in making a home. The Koopman family is one of the best known in the county and Mr. Koopman's name will always occupy a prominent place in the history of the county of Barton.

Thompson Oakley Cole was born in Wakefield, England, March 6, 1844. He came to America with his parents in 1850 when he was eight years of age. They first located in Ohio where Mr. Cole remained until 1872 during which year he came to Barton County. During the Civil War Mr. Cole was a member of Company K., 96th Ohio. Among the important engagements in which Mr. Cole took an active part are the battles of Fort Morgan and Fort Gaines, near Mobile Bay. These engagements took place when Farragaut and his followers were forcing their way up the big river. Upon Mr. Cole's arrival in Kansas he immediately took up the occupation of merchandising and since that time has had a great deal to do with the development of the soil and the up-building of the county. For fifteen years he owned and managed a grocery store in Great Bend and then bought land which now comprises his home place and consists of one-half of section 12 and one-half of section 7 in Great Bend township. He was married in Great Bend in 1874 to Miss Jane Hull and they are the parents of two children as follows: Herbert Lee, 33 years of age, who resides at home; Claude, 29 years of age, is a practicing dentist in Iola, Kansas. Mr. Cole survived his first wife and in 1884 was married to Miss Agnes Hess and to this union there was born one child, Agnes, who is now 18 years of age and resides at home. Mr. Cole is a member of the Great Bend lodge of Elks. On the home place is found a neat well built residence consisting of five rooms, a barn that is 30 by 60 feet in dimensions, granaries and all other necessary outbuildings. Mr. Cole is one of the best known men in the county and has always been found with the progressive element in furthering the interests of the county.

Among the younger farmers of Barton County none is better known for their progressive methods and enterprise shown in the cultivation of the soil, than the subject of this sketch, Rudolph Ludwig Boese. He was born September 7, 1887. His parents were John and Julia Boese who came to America from Poland-Russia. His father first settled in Ohio and after remaining there two years came to Barton County where Rudolph was born. His mother first settled in Pennsylvania and came to Kansas in same year as her husband. He has one brother, Frank, and three sisters, Martha, Grace and Louise. He was married in April, 1909, to Miss Emma Rudiger and they now reside on a farm consisting of 200 acres, a short distance south of Dundee. They also own a quarter section in Pawnee County. The home place where they now reside is owned by Mr. Boese's father Mr. Boese has a fine equipment of machinery and good live stock and his principal crop has been wheat. He learned the best farming methods from his father who came here when it required the best of farming to produce anything like a crop, but by persistent effort he managed to improve his land and make it most productive. On the place where they now reside there is a well built ten room house, a fine barn 32 by 60 feet and all the necessary outbuildings including an automobile garage. The barn is well built and contains stall room for a large number of animals and the loft permits storing a large quantity of hay. Mr. Boese gives personal attention to the supervision of his farm and has one of the best improved and most highly cultivated places in that section of the county. He is an enterprising and progressive young man and being a product of this county takes a great interest in any undertaking that he thinks is for the benefit of the community and the betterment of the county.

Orris Albert Brown was born near Des Moines, Iowa, July 12, 1866. He came to Kansas in 1872 and is now residing on his home place about ten miles southeast of Great Bend where he owns three quarter sections of land in section 31, Comanche township. He was married in Russell County, Kansas, in 1887, to Miss Elizabeth Scharpf. They are the parents of five children as follows: Henry Frederick, 21 years; Elias Edward, 23 years; Viola Eldora, 13 years; Annie May, 10 years; Albert, 3 years. Henry and Albert are employed in the mercantile business in Great Bend, while the remainder of the children are studying in the schools of the county. The home place is well improved and in addition to it Mr. Brown superintends the farming of the three quarters he owns in Comanche township. The residence consists of 8 rooms besides closets, pantries, etc. The barn is large and commodious and has stall room for a large number of horses and a loft that will permit the storing of a large quantity of hay. A small, well kept orchard adds greatly to the beauty of the surroundings of the home place. Mr. Brown came to Barton county at a time when only those who had faith in the future could withstand the conditions found here and remain. He remained however and by consistent effort together with using modern farming methods in the cultivation of the soil has succeeded in bringing his part of the county to a high state of cultivation and development. He had a large part in the work of reclaiming the section of the county south of the river from a barren waste and making of it one of the most desirable in the county of Barton.

George Washington Tucker was born February 3, 1860, in Southern Indiana and came to Barton County twenty-six years ago at a time when the outlook for the future was anything but bright. However, Mr. Tucker could see the wonderful possibilities of Barton County and decided to cast his lot with the other old timers who by their faith in the future and hard, consistent effort succeeded in building a home and developing the land to a state where it would produce crops in paying quantities. Mr. Tucker owns 240 acres of land seven miles south of Great Bend and a section of land in Gray County. He was married February 2, 1888 to Miss Mattie M. Schaeffer whose father built the first house in the city of Great Bend. They are the parents of four children all of whom are at home. They are as follows: Delbert Lee, 23 years; Elsie May, 18 years; Clifford M., 13 years; Ruby M., six years. Mr. Tucker came here at a time when many of the old timers were getting ready to leave but after he had purchased the land which is now his home place he decided that the future would turn out as it has if the proper effort was made with scientific farming methods. That Mr. Tucker's judgment was good is evidenced by the high state of cultivation found on the land in that section of the county. He has had a great deal to do with the development of the resources of this county and is one of that body of men whose staying qualities in the face of difficulties made it possible to make a rich agricultural section out of what was in the early eighties almost a barren waste. Mr. Tucker is an enterprising and progressive citizen and knows a great deal about the history of Barton county and the people who came here in the early days to establish homes.

One of the really old timers of Clarence township and one of the best known men in Barton County is August Mausolf, son of John and Amelia Mausolf who located in Rush County in 1879. August Mausolf was born in West Prussia, November 20, 1868. He came with his parents to Jersey City, New Jersey, when he was four years of age. His parents remained there seven years and then came to Rush County, locating on a home stead that is two and a half miles west of August's present home. Mr. Mausolf took up his residence on this quarter which is located fourteen miles northwest of Great Bend in 1892. In 1898 he married Miss Henrietta Scheilfelheim and they now have one bright boy, Walter, aged 6 years. Mr. Mausolf has always been an enterprising and progressive citizen and in addition to the quarter on which he lives he owns eighty-eighty acres of land in Clarence township, and three eighty acre tracts in Rush County twenty-five miles west of his home place. All of this land is in a high state of cultivation and shows that Mr. Mausolf has always worked on a policy of improvement. His home place is well stocked with cattle and horses and he takes a special pride in his flock of fancy White Leghorn chickens which attract the eyes of visitors on the Mausolf place. A fine six room residence is found on the home place. It is neatly and comfortably furnished and affords Mr. Mausolf and family all the comforts of a modern home. The barn, sheds and other necessary buildings on the Mausolf place are well built of the best material and altogether the Mausolf place is one of best improved and most modern to be found in the country. To make this complete we must add that Mr. Mausolf's home was destroyed by a cyclone during the month of May, 1912. He and his wife had a narrow escape. They are now living in Great Bend. The disaster happened after the foregoing was written.

Josiah Clinton Weathers was born in Putnam County, Indiana, October 14, 1856, and came to Barton County in 1884, and located six miles south and four miles west of Great Bend in a section where a plow had never been used. The first few years that Mr. Weathers spent in this county were hard ones, but he is made of the kind of stuff that makes pioneers and with an unflinching faith in the future he set about to make a home for himself and family. He erected a building 14 by 16 which was used as a residence for three years. Additions were added to the house as they were required and in 1900 Mr. Weathers built a fine modern, eight room house which is now one of the most neatly furnished homes in that section of the county. In the early days Mr. Weathers bought corn for fifteen cents per bushel and the wages at that time were 75 cents per day with a team. Mr. Weathers was married in November, 1881 to Miss Marguerite F. Reigel in Indiana. They are the parents of eleven children: Dennis, 29 years; Aliva 27 years; Leroy, 25 years, Ora 23 years; Paul, 21 years; Pearl, 19 years; Bessie, 17 years; Blanche, 14 years; Chester, 12 years; Roscoe, 10 years; Herman, 4 years. The first named four are married and living in the county, and the remainder are living at home and receiving educations. Besides three quarter sections of land which Mr. Weathers sold to his sons he still owns three quarters in addition to the home place. Mr. Weathers' farm is known as "Cedar Grove," the home being surrounded by well kept cedar trees which add in no small way to the beauty of the landscape. Mr. Weathers has been township treasurer for eighteen years and has also served as a member of the school board. On Mr. Weathers' place is what is supposed to be the oldest windmill tower in the county. It was erected by E. L. Chapman in the early days and has received a number of coats of paint and is now in fair condition. Mr. Weathers is an enterprising and progressive citizen and one of the best known of the old timers of the county which he has seen grow from a barren waste to its present high state of cultivation.

Mrs. F. E. Elliott has resided in Barton County for the past thirty-six years, having come here with her husband in 1877, at a time when the county's history was just beginning. Mr. Elliott died in June, 1909 and since that time Mrs. Elliott has carried on the work on the home place with the aid of help. She gives personal attention to its management and is among the most successful business women of the county. Both Mr. and Mrs. Elliott are natives of Massachusetts. They were married in June, 1877. They are the parents of one child, Minnie, who is thirty-four years of age. She is now Mrs. Roy Weathers, having been married in 1910, and lived near her mother on the same section line. Mrs. Elliott's home is one of the most modern and neatly arranged to be found in the county. It consists of eleven rooms with a large commodious basement and garret. The rooms are on two floors and are connected one with the other in a way that makes it possible to go from one room to another with the minimum of walking. The home is furnished with up-to-date furniture and that Mrs. Elliott takes a pride in her home is evidenced on every hand. The house is lighted with a large acetylene gas lighting plant of a modern design. A well improved water system supplies water to the house and bath room, both hot and cold water being supplied. Mrs. Elliott's daughter is a graduate of the Great Bend High School having received her diploma with the class of 1898, and she is also a graduate of the Central Normal College. The surroundings near the Elliott home are pleasing and make of it one of the most attractive farms in that section of the county. It is located eight and a half miles west and south of Great Bend and is in a high state of cultivation. Mrs. Elliott also owns eighty acres of land two miles south and west of the townsite of Great Bend.

John Oliver Tucker was born in the southern part of Indiana in December, 1865, and came to Barton County in 1899. He left Indiana when he was nineteen years of age and went to Illinois. He stayed there six months and then went to Missouri where he remained a short time after which he made his first trip to Kansas twenty-five years ago.

He remained in the Sunflower state but a short time after which he returned to Illinois and spent several years there and in Missouri before he finally decided to locate in Kansas. Then he came to Barton County on the date mentioned above, and immediately began the development of 160 acres of land which now comprises his home place seven miles south of Great Bend. He was marred in 1895 to Miss Hattie B. Giddings of Minonk, Illinois. They are the parents of two children, Albert R., sixteen years of age and Helen A., fifteen years old, both of whom are students in the schools of Barton County. Mr. Tucker is of an optimistic turn of mind and says that considering everything during his residence in this county he considers the twelve years most prosperous ones. His home place is nicely improved and contains a six room residence which has been built at intervals, the first building being one room 18 by 24 feet. A fine an up-to-date farmer using modern methods in all his work and his place is equipped with all the necessary machinery and live stock barn is maintained which is 32 by 40 feet, exclusive of the corn crib which adjoins it on the south and is 20 by 32. In addition to the 160 acres on the home place Mr. Tucker owns a half section of land in Morton county. He is for the successful cultivation cf the soil. He is an enterprising and progressive citizen and has helped in no small way to make that section of Barton County one of the most productive and one of the best in the State of Kansas.