Dickinson Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and
Biographical Album of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and
Marion Counties-Simon Stein
Portrait and Biographical
Album of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion
Counties
Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893
SIMON STEIN, one of the self-made men
of Dickinson County, who follows general
farming on section 7, Garfield Township,
is of German birth. He was born in Saxony,
on the 9th of January, 1832, and the days of
his boyhood and youth were spent in his native
land until eighteen years of age. Having bade
good-bye to home and friends, on the 12th of August,
1850, he sailed for America and after a long
voyage landed in Philadelphia on the 4th of October.
He made his first location in Schuylkill
County, Pa., where he was employed in the coal
mines for thirty years. He began work as a common
laborer, but his ability and faithfulness won
him promotion and he became Superintendent of
the mines in which he was first employed. He
served in that capacity for two years, and with the
capital that he acquired through his industry and
perseverance he then purchased a third interest in
another mine in Tamaqua, Pa. About a year
later, a fire broke out in the mine, which the firm
later sold to the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad
Company. Mr. Stein continued in the mines as
Superintendent in the employ of that company for
two years, when he resigned, and again owned an
interest in another mine for about a year, after
which he sold out.
Mr. Stein was married in July, 1855, in Tamaqua,
Pa., the lady of his choice being Miss Catherine
Schultz, who was born in Saxony, Germany,
on the 7th of July, 1830. They have a family of
seven children, five sons and two daughters:
Charles, Anna, Leonard, John, Katie, George and
Henry. The children have now all attained to
mature years and the sons are all in business for
themselves and are doing well. Katie is the wife
of William Numeller.
On coming to Dickinson County in the fall of
1880, Mr. Stein purchased a half-section of land
in Garfield Township, and has since made his home
upon that farm, devoting his entire energies to
agricultural pursuits. He has one of the best improved
farms in the locality. In addition to the
pleasant residence there are commodious barns
and outbuildings which are models of convenience.
The fields are well tilled and in all of its appointments
the place is complete, while its neat appearance
indicates the supervision of a careful manager.
He is recognized as one of the leading and substantial
farmers of the community.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Stein hold membership with
the Lutheran Church. In politics, he is a supporter
of Republican principles. He held the office
of County Commissioner for one term but has
never been an office-seeker, as his time has been
well taken up with his business; however, he manifests
a commendable interest in all that pertains to
the advancement of the cause of education and
the promotion of the general welfare. Mr. Stein
may truly be called a self-made man and of his
success in life may be justly proud. He started
at the bottom of the ladder and climbing upward
has won prosperity. The obstacles and disadvantages
in his path did not impede his progress but
rather served as an impetus. He is the founder of
his family in this country, and in future years his
descendants can point with pride to their first American
ancestor.
(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure for
Dickinson County KS AHGP