Dickinson Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and
Biographical Album of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and
Marion Counties-Julius J. Waterstradt
Portrait and Biographical
Album of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion
Counties
Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893
JULIUS J. WATERSTRADT, a thrifty farmer
residing in Hayes Township, Dickinson
County, came to Kansas in 1869, and took
up a homestead of eighty acres on section
22. The land was then an unbroken wilderness,
but during the years which have passed since his
removal here he has transformed and improved it
until it is now one of the most fertile pieces of
land in this township. He has continually added
to his possessions until he now has three hundred
and twenty acres of fine farming land. He has
erected a nice home and built a fine set of farm
buildings.
Mr. Waterstradt is a native of Germany, having
been born in Mecklenburg-Schwerin, December 23,
1839. He passed his early boyhood days in the
Fatherland, but when he was sixteen years old
started to sail the seas. After a time he went to
Liverpool, England, where he studied navigation,
and for the following fourteen years he lived the
life of a sailor. In the latter part of 1861, he sailed
on the American ship, "Longfellow," as second mate
to the East Indies and from there to New York.
While there he became much interested in the war,
which was then in progress, and he enlisted as a
seaman in the navy, serving three years and seven
months. Though several times offered promotion,
he declined to accept. At the close of the war he
went from New York to Chicago and for three
years sailed the Lakes, two years of that time being
captain of the schooner "Eleanor." Tiring of the
roving life of a sailor, he left that occupation and
came to Kansas in 1869, settling as before mentioned
in Hayes Township.
Our subject was united in marriage near Bremen,
Cook County, Ill., November 22, 1866, to Sophia
Selde, who was also a native of Mecklenburg, Germany,
her birth having occurred November 1,
1833. Unto this worthy couple were born four
children, three sons and a daughter: Fred, Albert,
Henry and Lizzie.
Mr. Waterstradt has always been a friend to the
cause of education and has faithfully served his
township for upwards of twenty years as a member
of the School Board. In everything which tends
to the advancement of the best interests of the
community he takes an active part. He also takes
an interest in political matters, using his right of
franchise in support of the Republican party. He
is a man of liberal thought and wide experience
and always acts in accordance with his own good
judgment. He is a genial man and well informed,
and by his long residence here, his strict integrity and
upright course in life, has made a large circle
of friends who esteem him most highly. He is a
member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
He has a very commodious and pleasant home, and
he and his family are noted for their intelligence
and hospitality.
(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure for
Dickinson County KS AHGP