Dickinson Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and
Biographical Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and
Marion Counties-J. F. Buhrer
Portrait and Biographical
Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion
Counties
Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893
J. F. BUHRER, of Enterprise, dealer in hardware
and agricultural implements, is one
of the leading and progressive citizens of
Dickinson County. He has been engaged in
his present line of trade for about fifteen years, and
has won success by his well-directed efforts. He
was born in Switzerland, December 20, 1846, and
with his parents came to this country at the age of
seventeen, the family locating in Ohio. Jacob and
Elizabeth (Steinman) Buhrer, the father and
mother, now reside six miles east of Enterprise.
The father of our subject was a shoemaker, and
he of whom we write was induced to learn the
trade, but after working at it for three years he
could not make a boot, and so has given his time
and attention to other interests. In 1870, in Fulton
County, Ohio, he married Harriet Weckerly,
and the succeeding year came with his young wife
to Kansas. He purchased one hundred and sixty
acres of land in Dickinson County at $3.25 per acre,
making a payment thereon of $50, the remainder
to be paid within ten years. During the year when
most farmers had their crops eaten by grasshoppers,
he secured a good yield of wheat, and from the
proceeds of the sale extended the boundaries of
his farm until it comprised a half-section.
After five years' residence in Kansas, Mrs.
Buhrer died, leaving a son, Charlie, who has since
passed away in his fifteenth year. For his second
wife, Mr. Buhrer married Sophia, daughter of J.
F. Staatz. They became parents of a little daughter,
Harriet, but she died at the age of two years
of membranous croup, after an illness of only two
days. They have an adopted daughter, Mary, who
has been in the family since she was quite young.
She is now a bright maiden of eleven summers.
Mr. Buhrer continued to engage in farming for
some time, but at length disposed of his land for
$8,500. Since locating in Enterprise, he has been
engaged in business as a merchant. He first formed
a partnership with Dr. A. G. Eyth, in the drug and
grocery trade. After a year and a-half he sold
out his stock of drugs, but continued in the grocery
business, moving his stock of goods in a wheelbarrow
across the street. He carried on business
in a small way for about two years, when with his
father-in-law, J. F. Staatz, he erected a double store
at a cost of about $5,000, he continued to
engage as a grocer, but in the meantime added
a stock of hardware. He remained in that store
until about 1886, when he sold out and built
a double store and opera house, 50x100 feet, at a
cost of $12,000. One of his buildings is used as
a showroom for buggies, and the remainder of
the building is occupied by his hardware store.
The second story is used as an opera house. He
carries a full and complete line of heavy and shelf
hardware, stoves, harness, agricultural implements,
carriages and wagons, and does an annual business
of $30,000. He is a man of good business ability,
sagacious and far-sighted, and has succeeded in
building up an excellent trade.
In connection with his other interests, Mr. Buhrer
is Vice-president of the bank, and is a partner of
J. E. Staatz & Co. in the furniture business. He
still owns one hundred and sixty acres of valuable
land, situated eight miles north of Salina. In politics
he is a stanch Democrat, doing all in his power
for the advancement of the party, and has held the
office of Alderman for eight years. His wife is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They
have a pleasant home on the hill west of the public
schoolhouse. Mr. Buhrer is one of the enterprising
and progressive business men of this city,
and has done much for its upbuilding and the promotion
of those interests calculated to prove of
public benefit. He is also a self-made man, and deserves
the praise conveyed in those words.
(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure for
Dickinson County KS AHGP