Clay Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-Fred Affolter
Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890
FRED AFFOLTER. If a man may be
judged by his surroundings, the career of
Mr. Affolter has been marked by unqualified
industry and perseverance, these qualities having
been essential in bringing his fine farm of 300
acres to a good state of cultivation and effecting
the improvements which have made of it one of
the most desirable estates in the northeastern corner
of Clay County. It is situated on section 1,
Bloom Township, and largely devoted to stock
raising in addition to general farming. The fertile
fields are well watered and enclosed with substantial
fencing. The buildings are of a character
finely adapted to the purposes of rural life, the
dwelling being commodious and comfortable and the
outbuildings all that are required in the shelter of
stock and the storage of grain. The land has been
carefully cultivated by improved machinery and
the whole premises stand as a lasting monument
to the projector.
Mr. Affolter in 1872 homesteaded 160 acres of
land upon which he first began the labors which
have resulted so successfully, and in due time added
to his possessions another quarter section which he
improved as the first. He came to this State from
Henry County, Ill., where he had lived four years,
settling there upon his arrival in America, to
which he had emigrated from the land of William
Tell, where his birth took place in December, 1830.
He comes of substantial Swiss ancestry, his father
Charles Affolter, having been a sturdy and industrious
Swiss farmer who spent his entire life in his
native land and lived to be ninety years old. The
latter was a good old man, greatly esteemed by his
neighbors and a leading light in the Presbyterian
Church. His wife. Mary (Kiser) Affolter, was
born and reared not far from the birthplace of her
husband and died in her native canton at the ripe
age of eighty-four years. She likewise was a Presbyterian
in religion. They were the parents of
three children.
The subject of this sketch was reared and educated
in his native place where he learned farming
which calling he followed there for some years.
At the same time he did duty as a soldier in the
regular army. In 1854 he was married to Miss
Mary Kiser who bore the same name as his mother
in her maidenhood, hut was no relative. She likewise
was of Swiss parentage and ancestry and both
her father and his wife lived and died in Switzerland,
passing away when quite aged.
Mr. and Mrs. Affolter lived in Switzerland
thirteen years after their marriage. There have
been born to them nine children. One daughter,
Louisa, died at the ago of fourteen years and six
months, and Albert died when twelve and one-half
years old. The survivors are recorded as follows:
Fred married Miss Minnie Schwab and is farming
in Bloom Township; Mary A. is the wife of Marion
Kepner and they live on a farm in Mulberry
Township; William is unmarried, but operates a
farm in Bloom Township; Ferdinand, Eliza, Mary
and Lena, are at home with their parents. Mr. and
Mrs. Affolter in their religious views are Presbyterians,
and Mr. Affolter, politically, supports the
principles of the Democratic party.