Clay Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-George W. Emrich
Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890
GEORGE W. EMRICH is one of the leading
farmers of Clay County, and a man of excellent
business ability, somewhat of a leader
in the political work of the vicinity, and withal a
man of character and vim. His home is located in
Chapman Township, and the estate, comprising 280
acres, is well-improved and furnished with good
buildings.
Mr. Emrich was reared to farm life, being the
son of an Ohio agriculturist, Moses Emrich, a native
of the Buckeye State, where he is still living.
The mother, Mary (Wheeland) Emrich, was the
daughter of George Wheeland, a Virginia planter,
and of this union eight children were born. George
W., a native of the Buckeye State, was born in Ross
County, Feb. 21, 1838, and received a common
school education, together with such practical training
as farmer's sons usually obtain. At the age of
twenty-three he went to Clark County, Ill., and
the war breaking out, he enlisted under the flag
which is the symbol of American freedom and
unity. His first enrollment was in the three
months' service, but later he enlisted for three
years. His name belonged to the muster-roll of
Company D, First Artillery, but after going into
camp at Springfield, the regiment was re-organized,
and Mr. Emrich became a member of Company B,
2d Regiment. He participated in many battles,
some of them heavy and bloody conflicts, being
attached to the 16th Army Corps, which, under
Gen. Dodge, occupied Corinth, Miss., as a part of
the left wing of the Army of the Mississippi.
Mr. Emrich was Sergeant of the battery in his
first company, and in 1863, being detailed to assist
in recruiting the Alabama company of scouts, was
appointed First Lieutenant of that company, which
was an excellent body of fighters. He was among
the gallant 60,000 who accompanied Gen. Sherman
toward the sea, and at Fayetteville, N. C, he was
wounded and fell into the hands of the enemy.
He was sent to Wilmington, N. C, and the Rebels
having no use for him then, was left in the hospital,
where he rapidly improved. Becoming able to
get about, Mr. Emrich took his departure for the
North, without having asked any one's permission.
He reached New York, thence went to Ohio, and
rejoined his regiment as soon as he was able to
again act a soldier's part. The command was at
Huntsville when he reached them, and he remained
there until Oct. 20, 1865, when he was discharged
and paid off.
On his return to civil life, Mr. Emrich went
back to his former home in Ohio, where he
remained until 1869, at which time he came to Kansas.
He located in Clay County, taking a homestead
on section 12, Chapman Township, having
first purchased a quarter section on which was a
cabin. This gave him a place in which to live, and
was the family home for two years. After having
proved up on his homestead, he sold it, retaining
ownership of the other 1 60 acres. He has bought
120 acres additional, and has the entire estate in an
excellent state of cultivation. He has suffered
some failures in crops, the worst having been in
1874�the grasshopper year. From 1885 until
1889 the crops were light, but they were very
good this season. Mr. Emrich was more fortunate
tlian some of the settlers in this county, having
had a little means with which to begin improvements
when he came here.
In the early part of the year 1866, George W.
Emrich was united in marriage with Miss Eliza,
daughter of Thomas Ray, a farmer and stockdealer
of Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Emrich seven
children have been born�Norah, Millie, Rose,
Arthur, Ernest, Jane and Nellie. Mrs. Emrich is
a lady of kindly, social nature, and an excellent
housewife.
Mr. Emrich has served two terms as County
Commissioner, and is now filling an unexpired
term. He has held the office of School Commissioner
several terms, has also been Township Treasurer,
and was the first Postmaster in the township.
Of the social orders, he affiliates with the I. O. O. F.,
and belongs to the G. A. R.. at Clay Center. Politically
he is a Republican. He opposed the Prohibition
Amendment when first brought before the
State, but has now become friendly to it. He still
suffers somewhat from the gunshot wound in his
thigh, and receives a small pension on account of
it. He is interested in every movement looking
toward the advancement of the material and moral
interests of the State and county, by whose citizens
he is regarded with respect.
The handsome residence of Mr. Emrich will be
found lithographed on another page of this volume.