Wabaunsee County Biographies
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Biographies below include: W. H. Earl; C. C. Copp; Herman B. Oehms; Anton Schewe; M. Jester; E. H. Sanford; E. Sturdy; August Hansen; William Maas; Patrick Maguire; Charles N. Earl:
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W. H. EARL (Dec'd)
Was born in Richland county, Ohio, November 2, 1829. Moved
with his parents to Indiana. Came to Kansas in 1809, locating on a
homestead one mile east of Eskridge, where he died December 20, 1885.
In 1877, Mr. Earl opened a small country store at the "Corners." In
1880, when the M. A. & B. was completed to Eskridge the small stock
of goods was removed to the new town, and from a small beginning a
large trade was soon established. After his death, in 1885, the business was continued under the firm name of Earl Bros., until Charlie's
death, November 23, 1899, since which time Mr. W. H. Earl, Jr., has
conducted one of the largest dry goods and grocery stores in the
county. In the Civil war Mr. Earl was a member of the 4th Iowa
Battery, the photograph showing him in his uniform being the only
one available. Of the family but four children survive, two of the
daughters living in Washington and two sons in Eskridge, Mr. Ed.
Earl and Mr. W. H. Earl, Jr., proprietor of the store.
C. C. COPP
Was born July 3, 1876, at Paxico, Kansas. Received a good, practical education in the common schools. On March 15, 1898, was united
in marriage to Miss Lucy Klein, an estimable young lady of Kansas
City. Since July 7, 1878, has been engaged in the grocery business with
HERMAN B. OEHMS
Another popular young man, of Eskridge, but for many years a
resident of Paxico.
Mr. Oehms was born August 2, 1878, and the business is conducted
under the firm name of Copp & Oehms � two young men who have won
their way to popular favor by honest and fair dealing and strict
business methods.
ANTON SCHEWE
Was born in Prussia, Germany, November 2, 1830. Landed in New
York, January 20, 1851, locating at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Came to
Kansas in the spring of 1856, settling on the farm on which he still
resides. Owns 800 acres of good farming and grazing lands in Wabaunsee county and 900 acres in Louisiana, the value of which is likely to
reach the million mark. For fifteen years Mr. Schewe was elected
trustee of what was then Alma township � Farmer township having
since been organized � an excellent proof of his standing in the community where he resides. Mr. and Mrs. Schewe have four children:
Mary, Willie, Anton, and Clara, and are pleasantly located in a comfortable home five miles south of Alma.
M. JESTER
Was born November 23, 1838, in Camden, Delaware. Came to
Kansas in 1867, and to Wabaunsee county two years later. On October
6, 1872, was united in marriage to Miss Kate Woodard, a daughter,
Mrs. Birdie Cartwright, being born to this union. Mrs. Kate Jester
dying, was a second time married � to Mrs. Jennie Lowe, on June 18,
1890. Mr. Jester has held the offices of township trustee and treasurer,
owns 238 acres of good farming land and by industry and well directed
energy has attained that degree of success of which he is in every way
deserving.
MR. E. H. SANFORD (Dec'd)
Was born January 24, 1822, in Allegheny county. New York.
Came to Kansas in 1857, and to Eskridge in 1868. In 1863, was united
in marriage to Mary J. St. John, two daughters being born to this
union. Col. Sanford, as he was always called, was educated at Ann
Arbor, Michigan, being a graduate of the law department of the University of Michigan. As a man of letters Col. Sanford ranked far
above many who attained wider distinction. Asa financier he was a
failure. But he possessed stores of wealth denied to others better
equipped to win smiles from that fickle goddess � Fortune. He was a
man with a resourceful brain and generous impulses. He was the
father of Eskridge. And yet when he staked his all on the issue;
when he invested his last dollar in the first house built in Eskridge
there were doubting Thomases who tapped their foreheads with
ominous meaning. But later on when a change of 19 votes would have
made Eskridge the county seat, opinions derogatory to the Colonel's
judgment underwent a change. To his persistence is due the fact
that, today, Eskridge has a place on the map. Let credit be given to
whom it is due. On April 11, 1901, at Columbus, Ohio, the spirit left
the tenement of clay � the rays from a bright intellect had been extinguished; a man with a kind heart had gone home.
E. STURDY
Was born in Delaware county, Ohio, in 1858. Came to Kansas in
1883. On July 24, 1880, was united in marriage to Miss E. J. Flickinger, to which union seven children were born: Esther, Harry,
Ralph, Guy, Dora, Ray, and Glenn. Mr. Sturdy is manager of the
Freeman ranch, six miles southeast of Eskridge, owns 600 acres of
land, and has attained a degree of success that is alike flattering to the
man and to the country and conditions that have made that success
possi ble.
AUGUST HANSEN
Was born in Schleswig Holstein, Germany, April 10, 1860. Came
to America in 1880, and two years later, to Kansas. Received the
benefits of a good education at Apenlarade, Germany. Owns an
excellent farm of 160 acres, near McFarland, and one of the prettiest
farm houses in the county. Is proprietor of the McFarland Creamery,
and besides supplying the markets with the best quality of choice
dairy butter has the contract for supplying the Rock Island eating
house with cream� annually supplying the Rock Island management
with more than three thousand gallons of choicest cream. His
creamery is equipped with all the modern improvements and is one of
the best in the country.
WILLIAM MAAS
Was born May 26, 1841, at Hagenow, Mecklenburg, Germany.
Came to America in August, 1869, direct to Wabaunsee county, locating on the farm where he now resides in one of the coziest farm
residences in the county. (See illustration). Mr. Maas received a
classical education in the city schools of Hagenow, and started out
well equipped, from an educational stand-point, for the battle of life.
On June 11, 1861, Mr. Maas was united in marriage to Miss Lisette
Stellies, to which union nine children were born, five sons and four
daughters -- (See illustration) Mr. Maas owns 920 acres of good land, and the fact that
he has served the people several years as justice of the peace and has
been elected seven times as township trustee is the best indication of
his high standing among those best informed as to his merits.
MR. PATRICK MAGUIRE (Dec'd)
Was born in County Cavan, Ireland, in March, 1828. Came to
America in 1846, locating in Pennsylvania. Came to Kansas in 1871,
but not did permanently locate here until 1873 on the farm where he
died, on December 25, 1899, at the age of 71 years and 9 months. Mrs.
Reahill Maguire died February 6, 1901, at the age of 75 years, 9 months
and 5 days. To Mr. and Mrs. Maguire, four sons and a daughter were
born, all but one son surviving: Hugh, John, and Pat, all living on
and near the old homestead. Mary, the only daughter, is happily
married and lives in Kansas City. Mr. Maguire owned a fine farm of
272 acres and by industry and economy had amply provided for his
children. He was generous and warm hearted and of a kindred spirit
was his worthy helpmate.
MR. CHARLES N. EARL (Dec'd)
Was one of the men holding official place in Wabaunsee county
who died in office. He had been mayor of his home town, Eskridge,
two terms, and was serving his second term as county commissioner.
He came to Wabaunsee county in 1869. with his parents, when he
was but a small boy. Grew up in the old home near the "Corners," of
which his father's homestead was a part. Carried on the mercantile
business, the legacy of his father, for twenty-five years, and during
that time never turned a deaf ear to the needy nor refused to lend a
helping hand to the distressed. Mr. Earl died December 28, 1899.
His estimable widow and an only daughter reside in Eskridge � a town
in which Mr. Earl always took a leading part in the upbuilding.
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This website created July 10, 2011 by Sheryl McClure.
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