Clay Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-Frederick Hoss
Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890
FREDERICK HOSS Northern Kansas has been the scene of many a man's struggles and also the triumph of many, and among those who have overcome the difficulties of life on the frontier, may be properly mentioned Mr. Hoss, who came to this vicinity poor in purse and is now well to do. He is a fine representative of the enterprising German element which has been so efficient in the settlement of the great West and occupies a leading position among his countrymen in Goshen Township. He is a farmer by occupation and his property includes 190 acres of land, comprising a well-regulated homestead on section 13.
A native of the city of Munich, in the Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, Mr. Hoss was born Nov. 22, 1846, and lived there until 1865. In the meantime he learned the potter's trade and received a good education in the public schools. At an early age he began laying his plans for the future and determined to have something and to be somebody in the world. Not being satisfied with his prospects in the Fatherland, he determined to emigrate to America, and on the 9th of December, 1865, repaired to the city of Hamburg and embarked on the steamer "Jacksonia" bound for New York City. He landed at his destination on the 27th of the above mentioned month and thence proceeded directly to Philadelphia, Pa., where he sojourned for about six months. Next he went into New Jersey, but three months later we find him in the city of Chicago, Ill, where he joined his parents, Fred and Mary (Batt) Hoss, who had come to America in June, 1866.
Remaining in Chicago until October, 1869, Mr. Hoss now set out for the farther West and coming to Clay County, Kan., homesteaded 160 acres in Goshen Township from which he built up his present homestead. His first dwelling was a little frame house, 12x16 feet in dimensions and he lived there alone until the spring of 1870. He was then joined by his parents and his sister Pauline. His father homesteaded 120 acres adjoining on the north. They all lived together until the death of the father, which occurred May 4, 1888. The mother continued with her children and died May 2, 1889. Since then Frederick and his sister Pauline have lived alone.
To the parents of our subject there were born five children. One brother, Adolph, and a sister, Mary, the wife of Henry Milhausen, are residents of Chicago. Fredricka is in California. Upon coming to Kansas, Mr. Hoss had no money and at once began working by the day and month in order to get the wherewithal to improve his land. Upon the arrival of his father here, Frederick had only $10 which he paid out for 100 Ibs. of flour and this was all the wheat flour the family had for that year, their other provisions being corn and meal. In due time they raised their own wheat, which they transported to Clay Center for grinding. The land which Mr. Hoss entered from the Government now presents a widely different appearance from that which it presented when he settled upon it. It is now embellished with a substantial frame residence, a good stable, corn cribs, granary, an orchard of 100 apple trees and a great many forest trees. It is mosty fenced and the greater part in a good state of cultivation. Miss Pauline owns ninety acres of the land which her father homesteaded and this also is improved.
The Hoss family is of pure German ancestry and as far back as is known belonged to the Evangelical Lutheran Church and were natives and residents of Wurtemburg. Upon one occasion soon after the settlement of the parents of Mr. Hoss in Goshen Township, a band of wild Indians passed through the country on a hunting tour. The mother of our subject had spent all her life in a city and the wild and uncouth appearance of the savages frightened her almost to death. The Indians, however, offered no molestation, simply riding by the house, and camped in a grove on the creek and engaged in a deer chase.
Mr. Hoss meddles very little with matters outside of his farming interests and has no ambition for office. He usually votes the Democratic ticket and is looked upon as a peaceable and law-abiding citizen, one who is prompt to meet his obligations and who is always the upholder of law and order, presenting in his own career the best illustration of his principles.