Riley Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-Gustave E. Spohr
Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890
GUSTAVE E. SPOHR. This prominent and successful German farmer, is making good headway financially, on a well-regulated homestead, situated about five miles southwest of Manhattan, on section 31. in what is known as the "Moehlman Bottoms," in Manhattan Township. His improvements are first-class, consisting of a comfortable dwelling, a good barn and all the necessary outbuildings, with a fine large orchard, and the land has been as carefully cultivated as most gardens. The proprietor is a man nearly six feet tall, of rugged frame, quiet, and undemonstrative in manner, but one who wields a marked influence among his countrymen in this region. He is very intelligent, industrious and progressive, and a man who has been no unimportant factor in the growth and development of Riley County.
The subject of this sketch was born Dec. 18, 1841, in the Kingdom of Hanover, Germany, and is the son of Ludwig and Julia (Lockeman) Spohr, who were likewise of pure German stock, and spent their entire lives upon their native soil. The father fought against the first Napoleon in the Prussian army. The parental family consisted of nine children, the eldest of whom, a son, Louis, married Miss Louisa Wagner, and is a merchant of Rochester, N. Y.; Augusta died in Germany; Louisa and Amelia are still living there; Gustave E. was the fourth in order of birth; Dorothy, now Mrs. Cuelle, still lives in Germany; three died in childhood.
Young Spohr emigrated to America with his uncle when a lad of fourteen years, landing in New York City in 1855,and at Rochester, entered the employ of Frost & Co., nurserymen, with whom he remained until after the outbreak of the Civil War. That same year he enlisted as a Union soldier in Company C, 13th New York Infantry, and was promoted step by step until he was mustered out in 1863 as Second Lieutenant. He participated in the first battle of Bull Run, and was at Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gaines Mills, and the siege of Yorktown. At Gaines Mills he was wounded by a canister shot in the back of his neck, and was also shot in the left heel after being repulsed on a charge in one of Longstreet's battles. At Fredericksburg he was shot through the left side, breaking the two lower ribs. Upon his recovery he received his honorable discharge, and repaired to Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., where he remained a few months as a military storekeeper. At the expiration of this time, he recrossed the Atlantic and visited six months among the friends and associates of his childhood. Upon returning to America, he resumed operations as a store-keeper at Benton Barracks near St. Louis, Mo., where he remained three months, and later was at Ewing's headquarters the same length of lime, having charge of the public buildings occupied by refugees from the South. Later, returning to New York State, he engaged in farming in the vicinity of Rochester two years.
Going now to Missouri. Mr. Spohr rented a farm in St. Charles County, which he operated until 1871. In the spring of that year he came to Northern Kansas and purchased the 150 acres of land comprising his present farm. He proceeded with its improvement and cultivation until 1864, then returning to Missouri, associated himself with a partner, and under the firm name of Sinclair & Spohr conducted a store of general merchandise. Then selling out he returned to his farm, where he has since remained.
In St. Charles County, Mo., Mr. Spohr was married April 25, 1866, to Miss Minnie, daughter of Rudolph and Margaretta Moentmann. This lady was born Aug. 29, 1849, in St. Charles, Mo., and of her union with our subject there are now living nine children, viz: Louis R., Herman G., Emma E., Bertha J., Louisa M., Minnie W., Amelia H., Julia, and George. Emil, the eighth child, died when six years old.
Upon becoming a naturalized citizen, Mr. Spohr joined the Republican party, and has been active in its councils in this section, officiating as a delegate to the County Conventions, and otherwise making himself useful in its deliberations. He is a member in good standing of the Lutheran Church, and is interested in the cause of education. He has served as a member of the School Board in his district, and is generally interested in those projects tending to the moral and social advancement of his fellow-citizens. Socially, he belongs to Manhattan Lodge No. 10, A. F. & A. M., also to Post No. 100, G. A. R., at Manhattan. In addition to the buildings which he has erected, he has planted fruit trees in abundance, having a fine apple orchard set out with various varieties of this almost indispensable fruit, besides pears, cherries, and the smaller fruits.