History of Barton County, Kansas

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

BARTON COUNTY, KANSAS

There are few men who had more to do with the early history of Barton County, and especially that part of it that has to do with the City of Great Bend. He was the second sheriff of Barton County and filled the office of city marshal of Great Bend at a time when it required a man of strong nerve and a determined nature to deal with the vicious element that made up a part of the town's population. He was born in the little town of Dukedom, Tenn., in 1844, and came to Barton County in 1873. He married Miss Georgia Stone, a daughter of T. L. Stone for whom Stone street was named. She, with her sister, were the first young ladies to arrive in Great Bend. Mr. and Mrs. Winstead were the parents of three children as follows: Wirt W., who died when he was 24 years of age; George M., who for some time was in the jewelry business in Great Bend, but about a year ago moved to Hutchinson and established one of the largest and most complete stocked jewelry stores in this part of the country; Thomas E., who is proprietor of the Duncan Bottling Works in Great Bend. Mrs. Winstead's father ran the old Southern hotel which, when it was first built, was known as the Drovers Cottage, and was the first building on the townsite of Great Bend. At this time Mrs. Winstead was 15 years of age and her two sisters, who are now Mrs. Honnen and Mrs. Crath, were 5 and 13, respectively. Mr. Winstead was deputy marshal for some time and in all his public duties proved himself a man whose nerve enabled him to deal with delicate conditions with forethought and determination. He had to deal with some mighty tough characters during his terms as marshal and sheriff but the evil-doers learned that Mr. Winstead was a man who placed his duty above everything else. He was a kind and considerate father and his death, which occurred a few years ago, caused a great deal of sorrow among his relatives and friends who knew him for a man in every sense of the word.

The improvements just completed at "Wheat Valley Farm," the home of John Evers, 12 miles west of Great Bend has made such a change in its appearance that one hardly recognizes it as the same place, although the land is just as rich and the same care has been given to the cultivation of the crops. A large two story frame, containing ten rooms and a kitchen, has taken the place of the former residence, and it will stand as a monument to the skill of Mr. Evers as a carpenter for many long years, as he has been both its architect and builder. That it is swell built, and that the lumber of its construction is first class is an admitted fact, because Mr. Evers served an apprenticeship at the builders' trade in the Old Country before coming to America, and then worked as a journeyman carpenter for a number of years. Since coming to Kansas he has worked at his trade while farming, and has kept in touch with the improved methods in vogue in this country. He therefore felt that he was competent for this task and the building stands to prove that he made a just estimate of his ability. The barn, sheds and other outbuildings are in keeping with the home and care for the grain and stock of the farm. There is an abundance of shade and the whole presents a beautiful appearance.

John Evers was born in the Province ot Hanover, Germany, on May 11th, 1857. He worked on the farm and at his trade until March 5th, 1882, when he came to America and first settled in Nebraska City, Nebraska. There he again farmed and worked at his trade, but in May, 1893, came to Barton County, Kansas, and purchased the one hundred and sixty acres where he resides. He also owns a half section in Pawnee County which is farmed by his son John Herman Evers. He was married in June, 1884, to Miss Johanna Ekhoff, of Germany, and thirteen children have blessed them; all of whom remain at home and assist the parents except John Herman, who is married and lives on the farm in Pawnee County.

In writing the different articles for the history of Barton County and Great Bend, there is none that is more a story of success and enterprise than this one, which recounts the building up an establishment of which the people of Great Bend and Barton County, as well as those of surrounding counties, are justly proud. This establishment is known as the Amend Brothers Dental Parlors which are located over 1417 1-2 Main street. Those who visit the parlors for the first time, after having become accustomed to the ordinary dentists' office, are compelled to exclaim, "Wonderful!" And it is wonderful when it is taken into consideration that without any attempt at flattery, or stretching the imagination it can be truthfully said that nowhere in the state of Kansas nor in Kansas City or St. Louis, can there be found a dental parlor that will excel the Amend Brothers establishment when it comes to completeness of equipment., sanitary methods or general beauty and convenience. The firm of Amend Brothers consists of Walter A., Eldon R., and Leslie L. These young men are sons of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Amend, who were early settlers in the eastern part of Kansas, having come to this state from the state of Missouri.

Mrs. Amend was left a widow twenty-two years ago and it is largely due to her guidance and pride in her boys that they have made a success in their work.
Walter was born in Brown County, Kansas, in 1884, and when he arrived in Great Bend in 1901, he accepted a position in the dental office of A. D. Raffington. In 1905 he graduated from the Western Dental College of Kansas City, Mo., and shortly after he had received his diploma he opened the business that has since grown to its present importance. In 1907 Eldon R. Amend received his diploma from the same college and joined his brother, Walter, in the parlors in this city. Eldon was born in Iowa, in 1877. Leslie L. became a member of the firm in the spring of 1912. He graduated from the same college where the other members of the firm studied and mastered their profession. Leslie was born in Missouri, in 1882, and received his diploma from the above mentioned college in 1906, and before coming to Great Bend practiced at Sterling, Kansas. Associated with the Amend Brothers in their business are: Dr. Fred C. Pressl and Dr. Roy R. Johnson, both of whom are well fitted to maintain the reputation of the parlors. In addition to enjoying an extensive local practice representatives of this firm make frequent and regular trips to towns surrounding Great Bend and Barton County where the Amend Brothers' quality of dental work is well known and appreciated. These towns are located on the Santa Fe railroad as far west as Garden City and as far east as Geneseo on the Missouri Pacific and to Ness City on the latter road, and as far south as Pratt. Within this radius there are forty towns which are regularly visited and where this firm's practice is steadily growing as a result of modern methods and painstaking, careful attention. The Amend Brothers Dental Parlors in Great Bend are furnished with everything known to the modern practice of dentistry. The furniture is of mahogany, while the walls are finished in pure white with green trimmings. Three operating booths are equipped with the finest instruments which are kept clean and sanitary by the most advanced methods. The instruments used at the parlors are of the modern kind, many of them being operated by electricity and they are the kind that reduces pain to a minimum and makes operations that were formerly painful almost devoid of any unpleasant sensation. Every appliance that will in any way add to the up-to-dateness of the parlors have been supplied by the firm regardless of expense and time. It is indeed fortunate for the people of this section of Kansas to have an establishment of this kind in Great Bend, because when they seek treatment at this modern institution they can do so with the knowledge that no matter how far one may travel or to whatever city they might go better treatment cannot be found nor can one have higher class work done at more reasonable prices.

There are very few old timers of this county who do not know the Mecklem family, as it is one of the families that arrived here in 1870. The subject of this sketch, L. G. Mecklem, is a son of G. F. Mecklem, who it will be remembered was killed in a cyclone in 1900. He with his family came to this county in the fall of 1870 and he located on the northeast quarter of section 3, Buffalo township, while L. G. later homesteaded the northwest quarter of the same section. L. G. now owns 400 acres of land all in Buffalo township, except 80 acres, which is in Eureka township. He was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and came to this county with his parents. He was married to Miss Rheta Wilkins and to this union there were born two children, Ira, 32 years of age, and Jennie, 30 years of age. The former is a wheat buyer located at Heizer and Jennie is now Mrs. Henry Boyle, and resides on Blood creek, in this county. Mr. Mecklem survived his first wife and in 1886 was married to Miss Clara Baldwin in this county. They are the parents of three children as follows: Mollie, 21 years of age, is now Mrs. Walter Wallerstedt of Lynsburg, Kansas; Marie, 17 years, and Bess, 14 years of age, are residing at home. The home place is beautifully located on the south bank of Walnut creek. The residence which contatins eight rooms, in addition to closets, pantries, etc., is surrounded by shade trees and shrubbery. The barn is 32 feet square and the other outbuildings are well built and commodious. Altogether Mr. Mecklem has one of the best improved and most attractive home places to be found in that township. He maintains a small orchard and a good grade of live stock and is one of the best known farmers in that section of Barton. He has held township and school board offices and always takes an active part in any movement that he thinks is for the benefit of the community in which he lives. One thing of interest about Mr. Mecklem should be mentioned. He is the author of the famous Heizer Yacht Club notes that have been running in the Tribune for the last three or four years.

The pioneer photographer of Great Bend is Jake Miller who still operates a studio on Broadway a few doors east of the federal building. Mr. Miller was born in Adams County, Pennsylvania, June 16, 1848. He came to Great Bend in 1872 and soon after his arrival opened a photograph gallery and nearly all the well known old timers have posed before Mr. Miller's camera. Many of the illustrations of the old time scenes and people in this book are cuts made from photos furnished by Mr. Miller. Mr. Miller helped to set the type from which the first newspaper in Great Bend was printed. He was married in 1878 to Miss Carrie E. Rankin and they are the parents of two children: Leon, who is now a telegraph operator employed by the Associated Press at St. Joseph, Mo., and Anna, who is now Mrs. David Gordon of this county. Mr. Miller was well acquainted with the old timers and pioneers of this section of the state and knows a great deal about the early history of Barton County, he is one of the men who helped to make it.

Joseph H. Troillet was born December 21, 1843, at Bagnes Valais, Switzerland, of French parents. He was married in March, 1881, to Miss Anna Bobeck and they were the parents of three girls: Lillian, Elsa and Alma. Mr. Troillet arrived in Barton County in 1873 and was, therefore, among the pioneers of this section of Kansas. His first business venture was a tailor shop which he and his brother, Francis Troillet, opened. This partnership continued for some time after which Mr. Troillet opened a French restaurant which he conducted until 1887, when he established a cigar factory and confectionary story on Forest avenue, opposite the postoffice, in a building which he erected in 1876. Mr. Troillet was always known as an enterprising, progressive citizen and always took a part in any movement that had for its purpose the betterment of the community in which he lived. The confectionery store is now being run by his daughters and there are few if any of the old timers who will not remember Mr. Troillet and the part he took in the upbuildlng of Great Bend and Barton County. Mr. Troillet was one of the original organizers and directors of the Citizens National bank and was also one of the largest stockholders. Mr. Troillet's death, which occurred on February 24, 1911, was a great shock to the community and he was sincerely mourned, not only by his relatives, but by scores of friends in all parts of the state of Kansas. Mr. Troillet survived his wife who died August 10, 1908. The Troillet girls, Lillian, Alma and Elsa are well fitted to look after the different business interests left by their parents. Lillian was married in July, 1912, to Ernest Frey. The girls are among the best known in the younger society set of the county, all of them being accomplished musicians, Lillian being a singer of exceptional ability. Mr. Troillet was one of the best known pioneer business men of Great Bend and before his death had the satisfaction of seeing the town and county reach a place of importance which was made possible by the early struggles of the pioneers of whom he was one.

William Henry Kerr was born at Toulon, Illinois, January 20, 1855. He went with his parents to Missouri when he was about one year of age and it was in the latter state that he was raised and received his early education. Mr. Kerr came to Kansas from Missouri in 1876 and located in Barton County. He first took up a tree claim and pre-emption in Beaver township, the former being changed to a homestead. At this time there was but one family in that township which was not then known as Beaver but was included in another township. Mr. Kerr was married August 30, 1881, to Miss Florence P. Lindsay of Bunker Hill, Kansas, and they are the parents of eight children, six of whom are living. One of the children died in infancy and Albert was killed by lightning June 29, 1900, when he was 12 years of age.

The remainder of the children are: Mary Belle, who is now Mrs. Clarence Markel; Winifred, who is employed by the Merrit-Schwier Creamery as stenographer; Ethel Florence, who is a stenographer and is employed by C. B. Ellis & Co., brokers, of San Francisco; Robert Henry, who is employed in Great Bend, and Josephine and Alice, who are living at home. Mr. Kerr has always taken a great interest in his children and they are all well educated and well known in this part of the state. Mr. Kerr now owns 720 acres of farm land in Barton County, all of which is being worked by renters. He also owns considerable town property in Great Bend and 180 acres of land in Texas. Mr. Kerr is the founder of the Church of Humanity, a society that is gaining many new members in all parts of the world. The membership roll contains representatives from forty states in this country as well as in Germany and England. Mr. Kerr is the publisher and editor of the monthly magazine called "The Truth About God and Life," which spreads the propaganda of the society to all parts of the civilized world. He is also the president of the society and devotes a great deal of his time to study and in the preparation of copy for the magazine. Some time ago he purchased the Morrison hotel building, which is one of the largest in the city of Great Bend, and it is his intention to found a school in the building to prepare students for taking up the work of spreading the beliefs of the society. Mr. Kerr is an enterprising and progressive citizen and is one of the really old timers of Barton County who have remained here through good and bad years and established a home and raised a family that is a credit to him and the community in which he lives.

The general appearance of "North Slope Farm," the name recently given to the home of Jacob A. Dirk's, thirteen and one-half miles west of Great Bend, has been greatly changed by the erection of a two story frame residence containing ten large airy rooms, and all other conveniences and accessories usually found in a modern up-to-date home. This building stands on an elevated position and well above ground, and seems to tower above its surroundings. It is enclosed by porches, north and south, and the sleeping apartments face in those directions. Ventilation and comfort have been the chief aims in its construction, and Mr. and Mrs. Dirks can congratulate themselves that they have secured these blessings. It is furnished in the most modern style, and will take rank with the best homes in the county. There is a good barn with mow and stall room for all hay and stock necessary on the farm, and a granary and other outbuildings. New trees, plants and shrubs will be set, and these will blend with the tastefully painted buildings and brighten the scene.

Jacob A. Dirks was born in Newton, Kansas, on April 8th, 1877, and attended the district schools of Barton County. He is the oldest son of Abraham H. and Nettie Dirks, and grew to manhood on the homestead one-half mile west of his present home. He is one of the progressive farmers of the county, and his two hundred and forty acres of tillable land show that he is a model husbandman. His farm covers one hundred and sixty acres, and he owns an additional eighty, two miles west in Rush county. These two tracts are cultivated by him personally, and his fields and granaries both show that he understands his business. On December 5th, 1900, Jacob A. Dirks and Miss Carrie Ratzlaff, of Harvey County, Kansas, were united in marriage, and four children bless them: Chester, 9; Harvey, 8; Daniel, 6, and Mae Leona, 2.

"Hillside Farm," the country home of Benjamin H. Unruh, stands on a gently sloping hillside thirteen miles west of Great Bend. The farm embraces three hundred and twenty acres of beautiful lying land, and the soil is very fertile. Mr. Unruh also owns one hundred and sixty acres in Pawnee County, and both tracts are in a high state of cultivation. The "Hillside Farm" is improved with a one story and a half frame containing nine rooms, and is furnished modernly. The barn is 32x60 and has stalls for fifteen horses and ten cows. There is a granary, model milk house, and other outbuildings, and some metal grain bins scattered about. The house is painted gray, the barn red, and these shades harmonize well with the green of the orchard leaves and the shade trees about the premises.

Benjamin H. Unruh was born in Central Russia on September 5th, 1864, and came to America with his parents, Hein and Katherine Unruh, when ten years of age. They arrived in Newton, Kansas, on December 24th, 1874, and little Benny spent his tenth Christmas in the new world. They finally settled at Pawnee Rock, but eventually entered a homestead three miles south of the farm here described. The father died in November, 1884, but the mother still resides on the homestead. Benjamin H. attended the public schools of his district and assisted his father and mother on the farm, and entered and proved up on a claim of a quarter section. On April 14th, 1899, he married Miss Anna Smith, of Harvey County, Kansas. They have five living children: Alvin, 10; Ruth, 8; Augusta, 6; Paul, 4, and Freida, 3.

Clarence E. Holmes was born April 2, 1882, at Fredonia, Wilson County, Kansas, and is a son of Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Holmes, who came to the Sunflower state from Iowa in 1877. Clarence lived in his native county for six years after which he went to Elk County with his parents. From there he went to Butler County and resided in the town of Douglas until 1908, during which year he came to Barton County and engaged in the drug business in Great Bend. The elder Holmes farming and cabinet making. After 1880, and previous to this date was in the drug business for thirty years. Clarence was educated in the grammar and high schools of the different counties in which he lived and in 1907 graduated from the pharmaceutical department of the Kansas university at Lawrence. Soon after graduation he successfully passed the examination and fulfilled the other requirements of the state board of pharmacy and is now a registered pharmacist. When Clarence was a boy he took a great interest in outdoor sports and became proficient as a baseball pitcher and after playing in amateur teams for some time, in 1903 he signed a contract and pitched professional ball on the Cedar Rapids club of the "Three I." league. He made an excellent record as a left handed twirler and quit the game only because he wanted to go into business for himself. He still takes a great interest in the national game and his store is headquarters for sporting goods and is popular with everybody who is in any way interested in sports.

Mr. Holmes was married in 1907 to Miss Daisy Hollenbeck of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and they are the parents of one child, a boy two years of age who bears his father's name and is known as Clarence Holmes, Jr. Mr. Holmes is one of the best known business men of Barton County and his store is a standard for all goods in the drug line. During the hot months the soda fountain maintained at the Holmes store is the mecca for those who want the best in the soft drink line. The prescription department is always in charge of Mr. Holmes or another registered pharmacist and this department is maintained on the highest standard.

The history of Barton County, Kansas, would not be entirely complete without a short biography of John F. Lewis, who came here in 1873, when there was but a single row of houses around the square, and the cowboy element dominated the town.

Mr. Lewis was born in Holmes County, Ohio, August 9, 1842, wherefrom his family moved to DeWitt County, Illinois, in 1844, where he grew to manhood and in July, 1862, enlisted in Company G, 107th Infantry, Illinois Volunteers for service in the civil war. His father, Dr. B. S. Lewis, having recruited said company and was elected its captain and he, John F. Lewis, was made duty sergeant, afterwards promoted to first sarageant and again to second lieutenant. Mr. Lewis served with his regiment in the Kentucky, East Tennessee, under General Burnsides in its battles and sieges, thence in 1864 with Sherman in his march upon Atlanta, then in the campaign when Hood marched upon Nashville and the battles of Columbia, Duck River, Franklin and Nashville was fought, thence going with his corps to Fort Fisher, thence on up the coast in various engagements to the close of the war, in the capture of Johnson's army.

Soon after the close of the war Mr. Lewis was commissioned lieutenant in the Fourteenth regular infantry and was stationed on Governors Island, New York harbor, during the following summer, where he passed through the cholera epidemic and suffered an attack of that dread disease.

He joined his regiment in the spring of 1867, via the Isthmus of Panama and San Francisco and across the Yuma desert to Arizona. Very soon after reaching his command he was ordered on an expedition against the Apache Indians in command of Troop G, First U. S. cavalry, in the Chiricahua mountains, and encountered the Indians in force in the Guadaloupe canon near the present town of Douglas, Arizona, and went into action, capturing their stock, defeating them and killing a large number.

He was engaged in battle with the Indians on many other occasions, one of which was notable, that of being surrounded and besieged two days and nights in a mining corral, from which he successfully extricated his command with the captured stock, though he was constantly engaged until reinforcements arrived.
Mr. Lewis was promoted to first lieutenant of the Thirty-second infantry, and was afterwards transferred to the Twenty-first, became quartermaster at Camp Crittenden, at which post he constructed the post buildings the remains of which can be seen by any person traveling into Mexico over the Guaymas branch of the Santa Fe railroad. In 1871 Mr. Lewis enjoyed the opportunity offered by the government of accepting a year's pay upon the reduction of the army from forty-five to twenty-five regiments, arriving home in July, 1871, thus giving the government nearly tour years of continuous Indian service.

Mr. Lewis married Miss Frances M. Morton, at Corning, Adams County, Iowa, September 13, 1873, and immediately came to Kansas, locating a homestead and free claim four miles north of Ellinwood, Kan.

During his stay on said land the movement of large herds of cattle from Texas northward gave great annoyance to the farmers in the destruction of crops. Mr. Lewis organized the farmers and made physical resistance to said encroachments to the end that said damages to crops ceased and resulted in the people of the county bringing out Mr. Lewis as a candidate for sheriff. However, the political trickery no less common those days than now, thwarted the wishes of the people and he was defeated.

Mr. Lewis has until late years ever interested himself in the public uplift of our town and county, pushing with enterprise and unselfishness any improvement that promised benefits to our town.

He organized the Great Bend Gas and Fuel Company and was instrumental more than any other citizen in sinking a deep well on section 13-19-13 in an effort to develop coal, gas or oil, reaching a depth of 1,365 feet, finding only salty artesian water that is still flowing out of the ground, and which is said to possess valuable medicinal properties. Soon after this he brought about a vote of $10,000 bonds in the city for the erection of a salt plant. However, the land boom, then at its apex, commenced to wane and promised monies from other sources failed to come and the venture came to nothing.

Mr. Lewis also organized by his energy the Great Bend Foundry Company, which constructed its buildings immediately south of the present grain office of the Walnut Creek Milling Company, which burned to the ground a few years ago.

Mr. Lewis occupies the office he then occupied twenty-six years ago, being a quiet and conservative real estate business, where he yet cheerfully caters to the occasional demand for information and events of the long, long ago in the early history of Kansas.

Elrick C. Cole was born in Burlington, Racine County, Wisconsin, October 21, 1856. He moved with his parents in 1863 to Kenosha, Wisconsin, where he received a common school education, finishing the high school course. He studied law in the office of his father, Albert G. Cole. He was clerk of the circuit court of that county, and was admitted to the bar in December, 1878, and to the supreme court of Wisconsin in February, 1879. He moved to Great Bend, Kansas, in March, 1879, where he began the practice of law with his brother, Theodore C. Cole, under the firm name of Cole Brothers. He is the dean of the Barton County bar and one of the most prominent lawyers in Kansas. The firm was dissolved by the death of his brother in October ,1890. He was elected county attorney of Barton County in 1886 and re-elected in 1888. He was elected a member of the legislature in 1894 and resigned in March 1895, after the close of the session to accept the appointment of judge of the Kansas court of appeals, which place he held until January, 1897, when he returned to the practice of law in Great Bend. On January 1, 1900, he formed a partnership with Wm. Osmond, which still continues. He was married November 22, 1880, to Miss Minnie O. Webb of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and they are the parents of one child, Frances, who is now Mrs. Eldon J. Lowe of Coffeyville, Kansas. He is a prominent member of the Masonic order and this year is deputy grand master of the Grand Lodge of Kansas, and deputy grand high priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Kansas. Judge Cole has gone through many of the hottest political campaigns in the state; during the past thirty years, and when he took an active part in the campaign his friends were glad and the enemy knew they were going to have a battle. On different occasions Mr. Cole overcame difficulties in winning an election that seemed almost impossible. He has been connected with some of the largest legal battles in the state and has always been found to be a hard working, conscientious attorney and counselor. He served the city of Great Bend as attorney a number of times and is one of Great Bend's substantial and enterprising citizens.

The most important office in the city administration is now held by O. W. Dawson, who is serving his second term as the city's chief executive. Mr. Dawson was born in the state of Iowa in 1868 and came to Kansas with his parents in 1876. After completing his education he taught school for several years and was later connected with the Walnut Creek Milling Company in capacity of bookkeeper. For a number of years he was court reporter of the Twentieth judicial district and about ten years ago formed a partnership with Louis Zutavern in the real estate, loan and insurance business and they now have one of the leading offices in these lines in this part of the state. Under Mr. Dawson's administration the city of Great Bend has made long strides forward until today it is counted one of the most progressive and up-to-date cities in the state of Kansas. Mr. Dawson has proved himself a faithful and efficient public servant and he is untiring in his efforts to discharge the duties of his office in a way that will reflect credit. not only upon himself but upon the city as a whole. Mr. Dawson's office is located in the Citizen' National Bank block at the corner of Forest avenue and Main street.

Mr. Dawson at this writing is a candidate for the office of congressman from the Seventh congressional district on the Republican ticket He is of the type of men who makes friends wherever he may go and if he is chosen to represent this district at the national capital the people can rest assured that their interests will be looked after as they should be.

In the memory of the old timers of Barton County and Great Bend there are few men who are occupying as prominent a place as John V. Brinkman, the head of the Brinkman family which came to Barton from Ohio in 1874 at a time when this section of Kansas needed just such men as John Brinkman and his sons have proven to be. John V. Brinkman was born in January, 1841, near Bolivar, Ohio, on a farm. He was married November 19, 1863, to Miss Susan Liebold of that state and they were the parents of nine children as follows: Nora, Katie J., George, Charles V., Lillian, Ola, Mabel, Eloise and Louis. Mrs. Brinkman was born in Ohio in 1842 and died April 23, 1908, she having survived her husband by three years, he having passed away June 27, 1905. In 1874, the year following Mr. Brinkman's arrival in this county, he organized the J. V. Brinkman & Co., bankers, private banking establishment with a capital of $10,000. It was while he was actively engaged in this business that he endeared himself to the people of this section of the state. He was a man who took a deep interest in the welfare of his neighbors and the up-building of the community in which he lived. Many are the incidents known to his friends of which he would never speak regarding his charitable acts, and the aid he rendered those who were in need at a time when aid was hard to obtain. From the very beginning his business was a success and when he died after having lived a noble life the people of Baiton County mourned as they have seldom mourned the loss of a man. The bank which he established has grown until now it has a capital of $50,000, with deposits approximating half a million dollars. The officers of the bank are now: J. George Brinkman, president; Charles V. Brinkman, vice president, Frank Brinkman, cashier, and W. O. Vollmer, assistant cashier, and the same policies followed by the elder Brinkman are being carried out by the sons to the end that it will always stand as a material evidence of the business sagacity of its founder.

In 1877 Mr. Brinkman, together with E. C. Sooy, built a flour mill in the county on the banks of Walnut Creek east of Great Bend. It was the intention to utilize the water power furnished by Walnut creek, but it was learned within a year that just at the times when the power was needed there was not sufficient water in the creek to furnish the necessary power, and in 1878 the mill was moved to its present site, just south of the Santa Fe tracks on Main street in Great Bend. The mill as originally built was known as Three-Run French Burr with a capacity of 100 barrels per day. When the mill was erected on its present site, Dave Roberts was taken in as a partner and was head miller until 1886, when the company was incorporated under the name of the Walnut Creek Milling Company, with the following officers: J. V. Brinkman, president;. E. C. Sooy, vice president; Dave Roberts, general manager. It was in 1886 that Nicholas Smith became identified with the company and after the death of J. V. Brinkman in 1905, Charles V. Brinkman became president and Nicholas Smith was made secretary and manager. Dave Roberts severed his connection with the mill in 1887 and now lives at Grand Junction, Colorado, where he is engaged in the milling business. The mill property consists of a square block of ground and the milling building is 80x180 feet in dimensions and is equipped with the latest and most improved milling machinery. Its main product, "Imperial" flour, is shipped to all parts of the country and is one of the chief reasons why Great Bend is called the Milling City, and this flour's quality maintains the city's reputation as a producer of all that is best in the line of flour quality. Charles V. Brinkman, the head of this milling business founded by his father, was born in Bolivar, Ohio, July 6, 1869, and came to Barton County with his parents in 1874. He attended the public schools of this section and also took a course at Washburn college of Topeka. Before going into the milling business he was connected with the J. V. Brinkman bank for four years. J. George Brinkman, who is president of the J. V. Brinkman Co., bankers, was born at Sandyville, Ohio, June 21, 1867. He was married November 8, 1894, to Miss Pauline Wilner of Kansas City, Kansas, and they are the parents of two children, Marion and John V. Nora is now Mrs. Fred Zutavern of Great Bend; Katie is now Mrs. Nicholas Smith, also of Great Bend; Ola is now Mrs. G. L. Chapman and resides in Great Bend; Eloise is now Mrs. N. A. White of Fremont, Michigan, while Lillian and Louis are residents of Great Bend, the latter being connected with the Walnut Creek Milling Company. Many who read this brief synopsis of the Brinkman family will recall the many kind deeds of John V. Brinkman and remember him as one of the men who made possible the development of Barton County's resources, and as a man who at all times found time to listen to the words of woe from less fortunate people who came to the new country without means to see them through the periods of hard times. He was a man whose friends were numbered by his acquaintances and he died happy in the thought that his life had not been a failure and knowing that he was leaving behind him a heritage of which any family might be proud.

When work was begun on the railroad track now known as the Scott City branch of the A. T. & S. F. railroad, a demand was made for some smaller towns along the right-of-way northwest of the county seat in this county. This was in the 80s and Heizer is one of the towns established as a result of this demand. It was named after D. N. Heizer, a former resident of the county, and at one time owner of the land that is now taken up by the townsite of Heizer. The first store in the town was established by D. E. Freyberger, who later sold out to Reinicke & Sons. A creamery was established in the town of Heizer by Schwier and associates shortly after the town was laid out. This was operated for a few years, but in 1909 the building which had not been used for any purpose for some time was torn down and the material taken to Great Bend where it was reused. Heizer now has three elevators, two general merchandise stores, one hardware store, hotel, blacksmith shop, lumber yard and other business establishment. It has a population of about 100 and is a busy little town at most times.

It was back in the early 80s when C. B. Worden and other residents of his township realized the necessity for a town where they located Albert, which is on the Scott City branch of the Santa Fe railway, seventeen miles northwest of Great Bend. Albert, like other towns in that section of the county, never had a boom, but a short time after it was laid out it served the purpose for which it was intended and offered the people of that section of the county a trading point and it was not long until nearly all lines of retail business were represented. The first store was started by Charles Hayes who later sold out. Albert now has a bank, four elevators, hotel, livery and feed stable, two general merchandise stores and a population of about 170. It was near the townsite of Albert that C. B. Worden and Mr. Roudebush planted the first crop of corn which, after making a good start, was eaten by the buffaloes that were so plentiful in this section of the county at that time. Albert is a supply point for a rich territory which takes in some of the richest agricultural land in Barton County.

Olmitz was laid out and began in growth in 1885 and is the trading point for an Austrian settlement that surrounds it. When Peter Brack and his brothers and mother came to this section of the state they were accompanied by a number of natives of Austria and for several years after their arrival it was only by the greatest economy and by dint of hard work that they succeeded in bringing the soil in that section to a state of productiveness that would yield them a profit for their efforts. Olmitz is located on the Missouri Pacific railroad, 10 miles west of Hoisington. It has at the present time three general stores, three elevators, a bank, hotel, hardware stores, and establishments that represent other lines of business. The first store was started by Peter Brack, who later sold out and within a few years started the bank that bears his name. C. M. Kreiser established a store in 1885 and later sold out to Sig Jacoby, who is still in business. Olmitz has some nice residences and enjoys the trade from a large territory.

In the history of Barton County there is no family that has taken a more active part in its making than that of Edward Judson Dodge. He was born at Breedshlll, near Hannibal, in Oswego County, New York, November 25, 1822. He came with his parents to Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 1836. Here he went to school and lived his boyhood years. It was in Kenosha that he met Miss Elizabeth Possen whom he married December 31, 1846. They were the parents of eight children as follows: Charles E., Wallace H., Don D., Giles B., Lizzie, Jennie, Mary and Maggie. In 1871 the call of the west became too strong for Mr. Dodge to withstand and he came to Barton County, Kansas, in that year and at once took an active part in the development of the county's resources. He located on a homestead about four miles north of Great Bend where he built an abode that consisted of a dugout on the bank of Walnut creek. Here the family resided for a number of years and were among the best known and most highly respected of the early settlers of this part of the state. Mr. Dodge came here alone but was joined by his family after he had secured a location and made arrangements for the making of a home. He farmed for a number of years and finally retired and moved to Great Bend where he took up his residence. Mr. Dodge was a blacksmith by trade and followed this line of business until a short time before his death which occurred October 16, 1910, after he had reached the age of 87 years, 10 months and 27 days. Mr. Dodge's first wife died November 1, 1889. In June he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Wells, who still re sides in this county. The Dodge family always took an active part in the public affairs of the county and Charles E. was register of deeds for seven terms, administering the affairs of this office for fourteen years. At the end of his seventh term he gave up politics and since that time has been engaged in the abstract business. He has also served on the school board a number of years and upon his arrival in this country he first followed the occupation of school teacher. Wallace Dodge is one of the best known real estate men in this section of the state and has offices in Great Bend. Don also lives in Great Bend and is a retired farmer; Giles is a painter and paperhanger and is actively engaged in this line of work in Barton County; Jennie is now Mrs. Ingersoll of Claflin; Mary is now Mrs. W. P. Feder, her husband being the editor of the Barton County Democrat; Lizzie is now Mrs. George Spencer of Great Bend and Maggie is now Mrs. Jones of Hollywood, Calif. The head of the Dodge family came to this county when the buffaloes were still roaming the prairies in this part of the country and he enjoyed the distinction of having built the first bridge to span Walnut creek north of the town of Great Bend. We print herewith a picture of the Dodge home on Walnut creek and from this picture one can get an idea of how the people lived in those days and see the conditions with which the early settlers had to contend. Mr. Dodge's death came as a great shock to the community where he had scores of friends which were made and kept by his kindness and many manly qualities.

Albert Nicholas Merten was born in Keokuk County, Iowa, May 4, 1864, and came to Barton County with his parents when he was twelve years of age. He is a son of Robert Merten, one of the early settlers in this part of the State of Kansas. The family came to this county in 1876 and since that time have had much to do with the development of the county's resources and the up-building of the towns and cities contained within its borders. Mr. Merten was married to Miss Ida A. Coss, October 30, 1895 and they are the parents of four children: Bessie, 16 years; Elsie, 14 years; Maisie, 12 years; Grace, 3 years. Mr. Merten farms three quarter sections in Clarence township and in addition owns another half section in the same township and a quarter in Rush county all of which is being worked by renters. The home place is nicely located, the residence and other buildings being surrounded by shade trees and other foliage which makes it one of the most attractive farm homes in that part of the county. The residence contains ten rooms in addition to the bath, closets and pantries. The barn is well built and contains room for a number of head of live stock. Mr. Merten maintains a good grade of live stock and is an enterprising and progressive farmer. He is one of the many Barton County farmers who took up the work where their parents left off in the developing of the soil and maintaining this county's prestige as one of the most important agricultural sections of the country. Mr. Merten in addition to his private interests has found time to take an active part in the public affairs of his community and has served in the capacity of school board director and has held township offices. He has been actively engaged in farming in this county twenty-seven years and is one of the best known men in this part of the state.

Another prosperous farmer who was born in this county and has seen it grow from a most undesirable place in which to live to one of the best counties in this State of Kansas, is Jacob B. Brack. He was born March 6, 1883 and attended the schools of the county until he began farming for himself. He is the son of Henry U. Brack one of the really old timers of the county. His father was born in Russia and came to Barton County in 1876. He located a homestead which he worked and developed a number of years and is now living in Rush County where he is also engaged in farming. His sons, Jacob and Peter, are among the best known residents of the northwest part of Barton County and are up-to-date and progressive farmers. Jacob was married to Miss Sophia Schiegel of Otis and they are the parents of two children, Arthur, aged 7 years and Harrison, aged one year. He farms over 400 acres of land in Grant township. His home is located ten miles north of Albert. The home contains four rooms and is located in pretty surroundings.

Mr. Brack has been a member of the school board and has also held township offices.

Another member of the Brack family who is well known in this section of the state is Peter C. Brack. He was married to Lizzie Schiegel of Otis and they are the parents of four children: Floyd, 12 years of age, Hannah, 11 years of age; Edwin, 9 years of age, and Edison, a year and a half old. He occupies a nice home of four rooms north of Albert and is a brother of Jacob Brack and a son of Henry U. Brack, one of the first settlers of that section of the county. He was born April 15, 1879 in this county and is one of the best known young farmers in Barton County. He farms about 400 acres of land, 330 acres of it being his own and the remainder being rented. Both the Brack boys understand farming thoroughly as they were both raised in the business and since they were old enough to take an active part in the affairs of their community they have had a great deal to do with the development of the resources of the county and are enterprising and progressive citizens.

Alfred L. Powell was born January 22, 1859, in Peoria County, Illinois, and came to Kansas in 1880. He first located in Jefferson County where he lived for a number of years. Most of the time he was in the threshing business and made his first trip to Barton County in 1900. He did not locate in this county until 1903 and since that time he has done a large part of the threshing work in this part of the state. He was married in 1880 to Miss Lou M. Cahill in Stark County, Illinois and they are the parents of three children: Gertrude, 30 years of age, is now Mrs. E. H. Rulison of Eskridge, Kansas; Frank B., 26 years of age is a resident of the city of Great Bend and is a carpenter by trade; Pearl, 21 years of age, is living at home. Mr. Powell and family occupy a residence at 700 Stone. Mr. Powell's threshing outfits consist of the very best of machinery and his services are in great demand during the harvest season in this and adjoining counties. It was during Mr. Powell's first trip to this county that he decided to make this his future home and he at once made arrangements for the transfer of his machinery, etc., from Jefferson County. Since that time he has been closely identified with the farming interests of Barton County and he has always been an enterprising citizen.

One of the really old timers of Barton County and one who had a great deal to do with the up-buiiding of Great Bend and the development of the county is the subject of this sketch, Amos Johnson. He was born in Champagne County, Ohio, November 12, 1838. He resided in his native state until 1859 when he went to Texas. He stayed there a year. Then he went to Illinois. He came to Barton County in the month of November, 1875. He purchased a quarter of railroad ,land and took up a homestead in Lakin township. He was actively engaged in the farming business until 1898 when he retired and came to the county seat to live. He has, however, given his personal attention to superintending the work on all his farm land which is now operated by renters. He was married in Clinton, Illinois, in 1860, to Miss Emma Nagley and they are the parents of ten children, nine of whom are living: Charles, 51 years, is farming in Oklahoma; Clearchus, 49 years, is at home; Clarence, 46, resides in Hutchinson; Clay, 44 years, is farming in Gray County; Clyde, 42 years, is farming near Conway Springs; Clara, 40 years, is at home, Clinton, 38, is in the banking business at Ellinwood; Eason, 31 years, is farming on his father's land; Pearl, 29, is living at home, and (Emma who died when she was ten years of age.) Mr. Johnson was a member of the Forty-first Illinois regiment and belonged to Company F. He served three years and twenty days, from August 7, 1861 to August 27, 1864. He took part in the battles of Fort Donaldson, Shiloh and was at Jackson and the Siege of Vicksburg. He is a member of the Pap Thomas Post G. A. R., and was commander of the Post in 1911. Mr. Johnson now owns three quarters in Lakin township and a quarter in Great Bend township all of which is under cultivation. He also owns nine lots in Great Bend and five dwelling houses in addition to his residence which is located at 1814 Broadway. The residence is thoroughly modern and contains ten rooms in addition to bath, closets, pantries, etc. Mr. Johnson spent five years in the mining business in Chaffee County, Colorado and still retains some interests in that state. With all his private business he has found time to take an active part in the affairs of the community in which he lives and has held township offices and served on the school board. He is one of those men who made Barton County from an almost barren wilderness and by development work has made of it one of the best in the State of Kansas. It is to such men as Mr. Johnson who came here in the early days and withstood all the adverse conditions with which the old timers had to contend that this county owes its high place among the best agricultural sections of the entire country.

Gustavtus A. Woodburn was born February 23, 1847, in La Porte, County, Indiana. He arrived in Barton County April 20, 1886. Soon after his arrival he took up the occupation of farming and is one of those men who came here at a time when the county was in need of enterprising men, and men who could take the good years with the bad and continue to develop the soil to its present high state of productiveness. He was married August 13, 1867 to Miss Emma J. Harriott of La Porte County, Indiana. They are the parents of four children, three of whom are living. (George, 25 years of age died in 1893;) Jessie, 40 years of age, is now Mrs. Fred Wells of Comanche County; Ida, 39 years of age is now Mrs. G. W. Durand of Eureka township, this county, and Joseph C., 37 years of age, superintends the work on the home place. The home place consists of the northwest quarter of section 29, and the north half of the southwest quarter of 29 in South Homestead township. The elder Mr. Woodburn retired in 1909 and now resides in Hoisington. He spends part of the time on the home place which contains a good set of improvements. The residence contains five rooms, closets, etc., while the barn is 32 by 36. The buildings are surrounded by shade and fruit trees and it is a most desirable country home. Joseph C. was married in March, 1897 to Miss Gertrude King and they are the parents of seven children: Gustavus, 14; Mildred, 13; Bailey, 11, Ruth, 10; Daisy, 9; Cecil, 6 and Delbert 3 years of age. All the children are at home and are being educated in the schools of the county. Mr. Woodburn is an engineer on the Missouri Pacific Railroad but spends all the spare time on the home place. The Woodburn family is well known in all parts of the county and Joseph C. and his father have had a great deal to do with the development of the county's resources and have helped to make it one of the best in the State of Kansas.

One of the best known men in Barton County, and one of the men who have had so much to do with the development of the northwestern part of the county is Joseph Schneider, who landed in this county with his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. John Schneider, in a blizzard, April 20, 1875. He was born in Austria March 19, 1865, but left his native country when he was ten years of age. The family consisted of the parents and five children besides Joseph. On their arrival in Barton County his father took up a homestead two and one-half miles north and east of Albert. Joseph Schneider has always been a progressive and enterprising citizen and now owns 2,280 acres of land in the county. He farms three quarters of land himself and the remainder is rented. He is president of the Farmers State Bank of Albert and is well known in the financial life of the county. He was married in 1889 to Miss Theresa Kober of this county and they are the parents of seven children as follows: Joseph, 22 years of age; Bernard, 20 years of age; Mary, 18 years of age; Leonard, 16 years of age; Francis, 14 years of age; Irwin, 12 years of age and Lottie, 6 years of age. All the children are at home and are being educated in the schools of the county. Mr. Schneider's home place is one of the best developed and most modernly improved to be found in that part of the county.

The residence is well built and substantial, and contains nine rooms in addition to the bath, closets, pantries, etc. The barn is 46 by 56 feet in dimensions and it like all the many buildings on the place is built especially for the purposes for which they are used. Mr. Schneider has always maintained on his farm a good grade of live stock, both horses and cattle. With all his private interests he has found time to take an active part in the affairs of his township and has been on the school board, has been township clerk and trustee and is known as a good citizen. Mr. Schneider has taken a large part in the work of developing his part of Barton County and he came here at a time when it required men of experience and enterprise to develop this county into one of the best in the State of Kansas.

Samuel Gibson Yeo was born July 19, 1848, in Guernsey County, Ohio. He was born and raised on a farm and has followed this occupation all of his life. He remained in his home state twenty-five years after which he went to Iowa where he resided for one year. Then he went to Wisconsin and spent eight years and from that state came to Kansas in 1888. He first located a claim in Sheridan County and stayed there for six years and then came to Barton County where he rented a farm near Claflin, later buying land which now comprises his home place in Liberty township where he owns one-half of section 12. All of this land is under cultivation and is being farmed by Mr. Yeo. He was married in 1886 to Miss Katie Dew at Fairfield, Iowa. They are the parents of four children: Maud, 32 years of age, is now Mrs. A. J. O'Blenness of Kinsley, Kansas; Clyde, 30 years of age, is married and lives near his parents and is engaged in the farming business; Earnest, 26 years of age who resides at home and George, 25 years old, is farming in Stafford County near Seward. Mr. Yeo's home place is well equipped with buildings and all the necessary machinery and live stock for successful farming. He makes a specialty of raising and breeding short horn cattle and maintains a flock of fancy Buff Cochin chickens. The residence on the home place consists of seven rooms in addition to the pantries, closets, etc. The barn is ample for all the needs of the farm being 45 by 60 feet in dimensions. Mr. Yeo is a practical farmer having been engaged in this line of work all of his life. Mr. Yeo farms according to modern methods and is one of the successful farmers who have done so much to develop that part of the county lying south of the river from the city of Great Bend.

John Edward Coss was born in Lucas County, Iowa, in 1866. He came to Barton County with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. L. B. Coss. He is one of four children born to this pioneer family, the others being Molly, Clarke B. and Blanche J. Miss Molly married D. E. Freyburger, a well known resident of this county who died in November, 1901. She is now Mrs. Walter Speck of Chicago; Clarke B. is president of the Heizer State Bank and one of the prominent business men of the county; Blanche J. is now Mrs. F. A. Garrett and they reside on the family homestead in Clarence township it being the northeast quarter of section 12. The estate also owns another half section in this township. John was married to Miss Clara Bell in this county in 1899 and they are the parents of two children; Lester, aged 9 and Ruth, aged 7 years. John Edward Coss is one of the best known business men in that part of Barton County he having been engaged in the mercantile business in Heizer at different times during the past thirteen years. He bought his present business last July and he and his partner, J. E. Turner, now have one of the best stocks of general merchandise to be found in any small town in this part of the state. The Coss family came to Barton County in June, '74, and the elder Coss who died April 28, 1911, had a great deal to do with the early history of the county and was one of its best known citizens. He with the other pioneers began the work that the present generation is continuing and his name will always be remembered by the old timers and read with reverence by younger people in years to come. They will read of him with other men to whom Barton County owes its high standing among the best counties of the state of Kansas and among the leading agricultural sections of the world.

John Frank Bales, or Colonel John Bales as he is better known, was born in Green County, Tennessee, April 18, 1876, and went with his parents to Missouri when he was four years of age. He remained there until 1900 when he came to Barton County, Kansas, where he has since resided and taken an active part in the development of the county's resources. He owns 320 acres of land in section 6, Great Bend township and farms a section and a half in that part of the county, and for the past several years has made a specialty of buying and selling cattle. It is doubtful if there are a dozen farmers in Barton County who do not know John Bales personally because whenever there has been a public sale of any nature during the past four years, almost invariably his name will be found on the sale bills. In this profession Mr. Bales has earned more than an ordinary reputation. His keen business sense, his knowledge of values on all goods he is called upon to sell, and his belief in a square deal have all contributed to his success in this line of work. As an auctioneer there is no man who is better or more favorably known in this section of the state than Mr. Bales. His home place has a good set of improvements including a five room residence, a barn 72 by 42 feet in dimensions and all other necessary outbuildings. Mr. Bales was married in 1905 to Miss Dora Kay of Coffeyville, Kansas, and they have one bright little girl, Ruth, three years of age, and another, Helen, who at this writing is eight months old. Mrs. Bales is a native of this county, having been born south of the river. Mr. Bales has always been among the most active residents of the county in its development and making of it one of the best in the State of Kansas and placing it among the most productive in the entire county.

John Berscheidt, Jr., was born in Aurora, Illinois, October 1, 1873, and came to Barton County with his parents when he was four years of age. The family located near Claflin in Logan township and John, Sr., at once took up the occupation of farming. He was one of the really old timers of this part of the state and had a great deal to do with the development of the soil and reclaiming this part of Kansas from the Indians and buffaloes. John, Jr., attended the schools in this county and began farming for himself in 1906. He was married in Ellinwood in 1910, to Mrs. Lizzie Weisburg. At the time of their wedding Mrs. Weisburg had one child, Mamie who is now fifteen years of age and she and Mr. Berscheidt are the parents of one child, John, Jr., who is five months of age and makes the third John in the Berschetdt family. Mr. and Mrs. Berscheidt own the home place, 160 acres about 1-1/2 miles west of Ellinwood and 380 acres one mile west of there. The home place is farmed by Mr. Berscheidt while the remainder of the land is rented. The residence which is thoroughly modern and one of the neatest in that section of the county contains 9 rooms with a bath and all the necessary closets, etc. The barn, 30 by 38 feet is ample to take care of the stock used by Mr. Berscheidt in his farming operations. They have lived on this place a little more than one year and are improving it in such a way that it will be one of the most attractive places in the county in a very few years. Fine shade trees have been set out, many of them being of the fruit bearing variety. Mr. Berscheidt is experimenting with irrigation methods and has a fine pumping plant on his place and if the writer is not mistaken he will open a new era in farming methods in this county providing the water supply is ample to carry on the experiments he has in mind.

Nicholas William Klepper was born in Germany, December 24, 1851, and came to America with his parents when he was 12 years of age. The family located at Aurora, Illinois, where they remained until 1878 when they came to Barton county and at once took up the occupation of farming. Mr. Klepper has been a most successful farmer and helped in no small way in the work of developing that section of the county that is adjacent to Ellinwood where Mr. Klepper now lives in a fine modern residence. Mr. Klepper now owns thirteen quarter sections of land in Barton County and a half section in Ford County. All the Barton County land is being farmed by renters, Mr. Klepper having retired in 1905. He was married in 1872 to Miss Mary Madenach in Aurora, Illinois, and they are the parents of seven children as follows: Lizzie, 36 years of age, is now Mrs. John Schwartz, residing in this county; Mary, 34 years is Mrs. Peter Schwartz, residing south of the river in this county; Peter, 31 years of age, is farming near Ellinwood; Anna, 29 years of age, is now Mrs. Henry Webber of Ellsworth County; John, 24 years of age, is farming in this county; Maggie, 22 years of age, is Mrs. Edward Patz of this county; and Frank, 30 years of age, is now attending Bethany College at Lindsborg, Kansas. Mr. Klepper has always found time to take an active part in the public affairs of the county although he has always been a busy man. He served his district on the board of county commissioners for six years and made a record of which he and his friends may well feel proud. He has always been a sound, substantial citizen and is one of the best known men in Barton County. Their home place in Ellinwood is thoroughly modern in every way and is one of the most beautifully surrounded residences in the town.

One of the best known men of Barton County and one who has had a great deal to do with developing its resources and making of it one of the most important counties of the state is the subject of this sketch, Paul Schmidt. He was born in Germany in 1864 and came to this county when he was twenty years old. He came direct to Barton County and at once took up the occupation of farming which he has followed for twenty-eight years. By using the best methods and giving his personal attention to the supervision of all work on his land he has been most successful and during the present year he decided to move to town and remain. However, Mr. Schmidt is and always has been an active man and the call of the farm was too strong for him to withstand and after a short time in town he moved back to his place which is located about six miles north of Great Bend. Mr. Schmidt was married in 1890 to Miss Anna Bloomer of Claflin. They are the parents of four children: Peter, 19 years of age, is in Salt Lake City; Katie, 18 years of age, is now Mrs. John Ehlers; James, 16 and John 14, are living at home. Mr. Schmidt's home place contains ten rooms besides bath, closets, pantries, etc. The barn is 32 by 48 feet in dimensions and it as well as all the buildings on the home place are well built and commodious. A fine orchard is found on the home place. It occupies about two acres of land and produces all varieties of fruits common to this part of the country. Mr. Schmidt is an enterprising and progressive citizen and one who has had a great deal to do with the development of Barton's resources and making of this county one of the best in the State of Kansas.