History of Atchison County, Kansas

John Fankhanel, deceased, was born June 11, 1822, in Saxony, Germany. When a youth he learned the blacksmith’s trade which he plied in his native village until 1862, when he immigrated to America, first settling in Weston, Mo., and later going to Ft. Leavenworth, where he was employed as a blacksmith by the United States Government. He saved his money, and in 1879 came to Atchison county and invested in 160 acres of land in Benton township, located four miles northeast of Effingham. He improved this farm and cultivated it successfully for a number of years, and about the year 1900 he turned it over to his son, Henry, and purchased the farm now owned by Gus Stutz. He resided on this place until his retirement to a comfortable home in Lancaster in 1901, where he died December 24, 1914, leaving a reputation for honesty and industry second to none in his neighborhood. Mr. Fankhanel was a member of the German Lutheran church. He was twice married, his first wife having been born in Germany, and died in Leavenworth, Kan., leaving one son, Henry, now a farmer in Benton township.

Mr. Fankhanel was again married in 1882, to Mrs. Emma Lindel, widow of Frederick Lindel. She was born in Bavaria, Germany, August 20, 1841, and lived in her native country until she was eighteen years of age, and then came to Illinois. Shortly after her arrival she married Frederick Lindel, also a native of Germany, and a farmer in Illinois. To this union were born five children, two of whom are living, namely: Mrs. Minnie Dorety, of Garfield, Okla.; and Herman, a farmer, residing near Leavenworth, Kan. The marriage of John and Emma Fankhanel was without issue.

Mrs. Fankhanel is a capable and worthy lady, who enjoys the respect and esteem of her neighbors and friends. She is kind and neighborly, and is ever ready to assist those of her acquaintances who are in need. She is living in Lancaster in comfortable circumstances, where she owns a good home and village property, and also a farm of sixty-five acres in Leavenworth county. She is a member of the German Lutheran church.

EDWARD J. KELLY.

Edward J. Kelly, cashier of the Farmers and Merchants State Bank, of Effingham, was born June 14, 1868, at New Brunswick, N. J., a son of James and Alice (Tobin) Kelly, both natives of Ireland. Upon immigrating to this country in 1844 they made their first home in New Jersey, and from there came to Kansas in 1869, locating in Grasshopper township, where James met with wonderful success as an agriculturist. His first investment was for eighty acres of prairie land which he improved and gradually added to his holdings until he was the owner of 500 acres of good land. James Kelly accumulated his estate by the exercise of good judgment in his farming operations, hard labor, and the exercise of the strictest economy. At first he did not like the new country. Becoming discouraged, as many others did, after the bad years during the seventies, he sold out, but fortunately, as it later proved for him, he was compelled to take back his land from the purchaser. He later changed his opinion concerning the future of Kansas and invested heavily in land at every opportunity. James Kelly was born in 1828, and died in 1894. His wife was born in 1830, and died in 1912. He first came to America in 1844 when but sixteen years of age, and was married in New Jersey. The children of this estimable pioneer couple were: James, who died at the age of seven years; Lawrence P., a resident of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Edward J., and Mary E., residing in Effingham.

Edward J. Kelly was educated in the district schools and spent two years as a student in St. Benedict’s College in Atchison. He lived on the old home place of his parents until 1885, in the meantime improving one of his father’s farms in Benton township, upon which he moved and resided thereon until 1894, at which time he married and moved on another farm which he owned in the same township. Mr. Kelly followed farming until 1903, and then removed to Effingham and engaged in the hardware and grain business for a period of five years. In 1909 he entered the State Bank of Effingham as bookkeeper and remained one year, when he became financially interested in the Farmers and Merchants State Bank, of which he is the present efficient cashier.

Mr. Kelly was married February 16, 1898, to Mary Gerety, of Monrovia, Kan., a daughter of Richard and Sarah Rooney Gerety, natives of Ireland, who first immigrated to Indiana, and from there came to Kansas as early as 1856. Both are now deceased. The Gerety’s settled on the prairie south of Monrovia, when Indians were camping in the neighborhood. They lived there all of their days and prospered. Richard Gerety died in 1906, and his widow removed to Effingham, where she died in 1910. They were the parents of the following living children: Mrs. Elizabeth (Berney), Horton, Kan.; Thomas Gerety, near Nortonville, Kan.; James, Everest, Kan.; John, Wichita, Kan.; Margaret, Independence, Kan.; Richard, Wichita, Kan.; Sarah, Colorado Springs, Colo. During the Civil war Mr. Gerety purchased horses for the United States Government.

It is not alone as a farmer, merchant and banker that Mr. Kelly has achieved a certain amount of prominence, but he has taken an active part in political affairs during his life and stands high in the councils of the Democratic party. He was elected to represent Atchison county in the State legislature in the session of 1909, and during that session acquitted himself creditably as an honest and fearless legislator. He was a member of the committees on roads and highways, mines and mining, and judicial apportionments, etc., and has the unique record of never missing a roll call of the house while attending the session. Mr. Kelly has likewise shown his interest in his home city by serving on the city council for four years. His religious affiliations are with the Catholic church.

Farmers and Merchants State Bank, Effingham, Kansas.

This bank was organized in 1905, with a capital stock of $12,000, and officers as follows: President, U. B. Sharpless; secretary and cashier, A. J. Smith; vice-president, Fred Sutter; directors, R. M. Thomas, J. W. Davis, C. N. Snyder, U. B. Sharpless, A. J. Smith. Since this time there have been some changes in the personnel of the official body governing the bank’s affairs, and the present officers are as follows: President, Fred Sutter; vice-president, L. T. Hawk; cashier, E. J. Kelly; assistant cashier, D. R. Gerety; directors, Fred Sutter, L. T. Hawk, Alexander McKay, U. B. Sharpless; E. J. Kelly. The capital and surplus now exceed $15,000 and the bank averages in deposits over $120,000. In 1910 the bank erected a handsome brick building on the corner of Main and Howard streets, which is fitted up with handsome new fixtures and a new burglar proof vault of the latest construction at a cost of over $4,000. This bank is purely a local concern and is financed by local capital, all of the stockholders residing in Effingham and vicinity, and comprising the leading merchants and farmers of Effingham and the surrounding country.

BENTON L. BROCKETT.

Successful business man, upright citizen and Christian worker, are characterizations which aptly describe Benton L. Brockett, who has been established in the lumber business in Atchison for over thirty years. He began as a poor man with little capital, and has built up a splendid retail concern at 1019 Main street. Mr. Brockett first established a small lumber yard at East Atchison in 1885, and six years later moved to Atchison. His buildings and warerooms occupy space 175×150 feet, and he employs six men and four teams to handle his extensive business. The concern supplies Atchison and vicinity with lumber, lime, cement, and builder’s material, including cement blocks, and practically all materials used in building. The yard work includes the only cement working plant in the city which turns out cement blocks for foundation work and porches.

Benton L. Brockett was born in Ashtabula, Ohio, September 5, 1864. His parents were Lewis B. and Lucy S. (Fisk) Brockett, natives of New York and Ohio, respectively. The Brockett family is of English origin, and the founder of the family in America first settled near New London, Conn. His descendants afterward located in the state of New York. Lewis B. was the son of Ambrose Brockett, who moved to Ashtabula county, and was one of the first settlers of the Western Reserve. Here Lewis was reared, and married Lucy S. Fisk, a daughter of an early settler of the Western Reserve. He became a merchant at Saybrook, and served as postmaster under President Cleveland’s administration. He died at the advanced age of eighty-six years. The mother of Benton L. is still living and is now over eighty-three years of age. To them were born three sons and three daughters, namely: James D., of Lincoln, Neb.; Haddie, the wife of Charles C. Parker, a resident of Portland. Ore.; Ellen F., residing in Ashtabula; and Amy, the wife of Charles Simon, of Ashtabula, Ohio; and two died in infancy.

Benton L. was educated in the Ashtabula schools, and came west in 1884, where he engaged in business, as stated in a preceding paragraph. Success has attended his efforts, and he is universally recognized as one of the substantial men of the city. The account of the growth of Mr. Brockett’s business is simply a narrative of his life work on the material side. His prosperity is well deserved, and has been acquired by close application to his affairs and square and honorable dealings with his fellow men. Mr. Brockett was married on October 10, 1888, to Daisy Denton, a daughter of Henry Denton, an attorney of Atchison; she died July 15, 1898, leaving two sons, namely: Louis D., born August 14, 1889, who is associated in the real estate and loan business with C. D. Walker, and married Isabella, a daughter of Mr. Walker. The second son is Wallace James Brockett, born February 14, 1895, and is a student at Baker University, at Baldwin, Kan. On July 23, 1903, Mr. Brockett married Margaret Schriver, a daughter of Peter P. Schriver, of Cedar Point, Kan. To this union one child has been born, Helen Louise, born November 12, 1907.

Mr. Brockett has always espoused the principles of the Republican party, although his father was a Democrat. He has served his home city as a member of the city council, and has been generally active in all undertakings tending to advance the best interests of Atchison and make the city a better and more attractive place in which to live. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. It is in church work, however, that Mr. Brockett is most active, aside from his business affairs. Ever since coming to the West he has been identified with church and Sunday school work, and is a prominent and active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He supplemented his work in behalf of making better men and women of the growing boys and girls of this locality in East Atchison, where he has conducted a mission school for the past four years. He is a trustee of his church, and has taken part in the work of the Sunday school for several years. The highest tribute that can be paid to him is that he is universally known as an earnest Christian, who has reared his family to be valuable members of the community.

JOHN STUTZ.

John Stutz, one of the younger successful farmers of Center township, Atchison county, was born November 5, 1870, on his father’s farm in Lancaster township. His parents were Christian and Kathrine Stutz, concerning whom a complete review is given in the biographies of Gustave and Christian W. Stutz. The reader is referred to these sketches for the history of this worthy pioneer couple, who were among the early settlers of the county. John grew up on the home farm and attended the public schools of Lancaster, remaining at home with his parents until 1898, at which time his father died and John was employed by the Cain Milling Company of Atchison for two months. He became heir to eighty acres of land as his share of the family estate, and began farming for himself. His farm was only partly improved by a small shack and granary. He at once set about to remedy conditions on the land, and erected a substantial home, a good barn and other out-buildings which are well kept. He built a two-story five-room house, and in 1903 erected a fine barn, 48×30 feet in dimension. He has also added to his acreage, and now owns 160 acres of highly productive land.

Mr. Stutz was married October 8, 1895, to Nora Walz, and to this union have been born three children, namely: Christian W., Grover J. and Lester E. all at home with their parents. Mrs. Nora Stutz was born August 24, 1876, on a farm in Shannon township, a daughter of Charles and Margaret (Diehsback) Walz. Charles Walz, the father, was twice married, his first wife being Kathrine Reidel, who bore him four children: Mrs. Rosa Buff, of Shannon township; Charles, deceased; Mary married Fred Stutz, a member of the Atchison police force, and Kathrine, wife of Christian W. Stutz. By the second marriage of Charles Walz, that with Margaret Diehsback, there were born eight children, as follows: Margaret, wife of Gustave Stutz, of Lancaster township; Nora, wife of John Stutz, the subject of this sketch; Frederick, deceased: Mrs. Anna Hager, of Atchison; William, farmer, Shannon township; Mrs. Clara Peterson, Atchison; Albert, Atchison; and Jerry resides on the old home place, in Shannon township.

Mr. Stutz is a Democrat, and a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Naturally he has a deep and abiding love for his home county, and thinks there is no place on earth better than Atchison county. His labor and interests have generally been given towards the welfare of his home county, and his standing in his community is assured, as a well respected and industrious citizen who has the respect and esteem of all who know him.

A. S. SPECK.

The Speck family is one of the oldest of the pioneer families in Kansas and the date of the settlement of A. S. Speck in Atchison county goes back to sixty years ago, when in September 20, 1855, Mr. and Mrs. Speck with their two children arrived at the banks of the Missouri river, after a six weeks’ trip overland in a covered wagon from their old home in an eastern State. They crossed the river by ferry to the Kansas side and landed near old Sumner, traveled over the hills and finally stopped at a little log cabin, not far from Stranger creek, which stream is said to have received its name from an unknown man having been drowned in the stream some years previous. The Specks made a settlement in the county and experienced a great deal of trouble from the border ruffians and pro-slavery advocates because of the fact that Mr. Speck was a pronounced anti-slavery man. It was the aim of the border ruffians to intimidate or “get rid” of all Free State people in order to gain their ends and make Kansas a slave State. A story concerning these troublous times is timely here. One afternoon Mrs. Speck glanced from her cabin door and saw a cannon facing the house and planted on a little knoll with about thirty men surrounding the sinister looking weapon. They sent one of their number to the door of the cabin to ascertain if Mr. Speck was at home. In reply to their question as to Mr. Speck’s whereabouts, Mrs. Speck said, “If he were here he would never send his wife to talk for him.” After a long conference the men went away, but returned that night and demanded the privilege of searching the house. All the weapon of defense Mrs. Speck had was an axe which she held in her hand when she opened the door. As the door was opened she asked for the revolver held by one of the men who entered. This he refused to do, but the leader of the gang, a man named Adkins, called out with an oath, “Give it to her, we will protect you.” The gang searched the house thoroughly and were satisfied that the man they sought was not there. They then went away leaving the children crying in fear, and the mother so fearful of her life that she sat up the remainder of the night on the outside of the cabin with her babe in her arms, thinking they would return. Not long after this came the news of the Quantrell raid and the burning of Lawrence, Kan., and Mr. Speck with others went to the relief of the sufferers. The ruffians returned to the Speck cabin in the afternoon of the day of Mr. Speck’s departure, but this time Mrs. Speck was armed with a gun which Mr. Speck had left with her. She also had another gun which had been given her by a neighbor named Martin, who had had similar trouble with the ruffians, who searched through Martin’s cornfield for him, and when the raiders would get near him he would slip away unseen to the rows through which they had already searched and thus elude them. When the men saw the gun one of them insisted that she give it up, and wrenched it from her hands. She at once reached for the other gun which she kept hidden behind her and fired at her assailant, frightening him so that he dropped the gun he had seized and ran from the vicinity of the home. The others who remained near the cannon saw on a high ridge some distance away what they thought was a company of men coming to capture them. They at once took flight and left hastily, leaving behind them a long rope which was evidently intended to be used in hanging Mr. Speck. The small army seen in the distance later proved to be neighbors driving a herd of cattle. One little son of the family made a vow to whip Adkins when he grew up and had the later satisfaction of fulfilling his vow when still a boy. The old neighbor of “cornfield fame” still lives in practically the same locality. Pardee Butler, the famous Free State advocate, who was placed on a raft and set adrift on the Missouri by border ruffians, was an intimate friend of the Speck family. When the Civil war broke out and the call for volunteers was sent out by President Lincoln, Mr. Speck enlisted as lieutenant of Company F, Thirteenth regiment, Kansas infantry, in September, 1862, serving until his resignation, and later being appointed recruiting officer in August, 1863.

Mr. and Mrs. Speck lived on their farm until death took them, the demise of Mr. Speck occurring in February, 1901, and that of Mrs. Speck occurring January, 1904. They are survived by eight children: William A., of Kay See, Wyo.; Frank, James and Arthur, of Nortonville, Kan.; Mrs. D. P. Barber, of Cummings, Kan.; Mrs. Joseph Hotchkiss, of Willow Springs, Mo.; Mrs. S. W. Adams, of Atchison, Kan.

ROBERT L. GRIMES.

Robert L. Grimes, farmer and stockman, of Lancaster township, Atchison county, Kansas, is one of the representative and enterprising citizens of the county who have made good. He has been a resident of Kansas for the past forty-four years, and during that time has worked his way upward by his own unaided efforts and is now the owner of 350 acres of good Kansas soil. Of late he has practically retired from active farming, and has rented out his land, that he may be able to take a well earned repose and enjoy a life of leisure.

Robert L. Grimes was born February 11, 1852, in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, a son of James and Margaret (Laughlin) Grimes, both of whom were born and reared in that county. The father was born May 1, 1824, and was the son of Henry and Sallie Grimes, who came of old pioneer stock in the Keystone State, and were of Scotch and German descent. Henry was a blacksmith and made a good living for his family. James Grimes was reared in his native county, and when he grew up became a farmer. He tilled the soil in Pennsylvania until 1871, and then disposed of his holdings, and migrated westward, to Kansas, investing his cash capital in Lancaster township, where he bought 160 acres, located in sections 15, 5 and 18, Atchison county. There were little or no improvements on his land when he bought it, but with characteristic thrift, he improved the land and made it into a desirable place of residence. Like others who came to the county in that early day he went through the “grasshopper era,” and was discouraged for a time but held on, and as a result became fairly well to do in the course of time, as better years followed the lean era. He lived on his farm until his demise in 1905, and at the time of his death was one of the well respected and best known citizens of his township. Grimes, senior, was married in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, to Margaret A. Laughlin, and this marriage was blessed by the following children: Robert Laughlin, subject of this sketch; William, a farmer of Lancaster township; Elizabeth, deceased; John A., Huron, Kan.; Mrs. Sallie Hardin, Lancaster township, and Hugh L., Lancaster township. The mother of the foregoing children was born February 12, 1828, and departed this life in 1901. She left the impress of a noble and womanly character upon the lives of her children, who have all led exemplary lives and been a credit to their parents. She was a daughter of Robert Laughlin, a farmer of Pennsylvania.

Robert L., with whom this review is directly concerned, was reared to young manhood on the family farm in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, received his early education in the nearby district school, and at the age of nineteen years accompanied his parents to the new home in this county. His first schooling was obtained in the Mt. Vernon district in his native county, and he also attended the school near his new home in Lancaster township, when not assisting his father in developing their Kansas farm. He remained on the home farm until he was twenty-seven years of age, and after his marriage, he launched into agricultural pursuits for himself by renting a tract of land for two years. His first efforts in his own behalf were successful and he then used his savings to purchase a tract of land in Lancaster township, south of Eden. His first investment was in a farm of 160 acres, which he improved as his prosperity continued to increase. By the exercise of industry, self-denial and good financial management, he has become the owner of 350 acres of fine land. This land has twenty-five acres of standing timber, which is a valuable asset when one considers that timber is almost a rarity in the greater part of Kansas. Mr. Grimes cultivated his land until 1914, when he decided to shift some of the burden which grew heavy as he felt himself taking on added years, and he accordingly rented it, but retains the supervision of the farm.

For several years Mr. Grimes has been a breeder of Shorthorn cattle, and takes considerable interest in his fine stock. His success in farming is due to the fact that he has not been content to just be an ordinary farmer, but has endeavored to keep abreast of the latest developments in agriculture and has aimed to keep the best of live stock on his place. He has an excellent barn, 32×60 feet in dimension, with a capacity of eighty tons of hay, and which cost over $1,500, despite the fact that most of the lumber used in its construction was cut and sawed from the timber on his place.

Mr. Grimes was married April 16, 1879, to Miss Viola Wilson, who has borne him two children: Mrs. Edith Shufflebarger, living on a farm in Lancaster township, and Mrs. Franketta Carson, whose husband is farming the Grimes farm land. Mrs. Grimes was born in Lancaster township, December 21, 1862, and is a daughter of Andrew and Nancy (Carpenter) Wilson, who came to Atchison county from Kentucky in the early pioneer days. Andrew Wilson was a Union veteran who saw valiant service during the Civil war.

In political matters Mr. Grimes has always been identified with the Democratic party, and has served as a member of the school board in his township. He attends religious services at the Methodist Episcopal church, and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.

CHRIST KANNING.

The proverbial success of the members of the German race, who have left the Fatherland in search of fortune in America, is well illustrated in reviewing the career of Christ Kanning, of Lancaster township, Atchison county, Kansas. In a little more than a score of years, beginning with practically no capital, Mr. Kanning has accumulated 240 acres of the best land in Atchison county. He is the owner of two well improved farms, and it was necessary for him to build practically all of the improvements on his home place since purchasing the land in 1893.

Christ Kanning was born in Westphalia, a province of Prussia in the German Empire, May 20, 1854. He is a son of Henry and Christena (Poos) Kanning, who were the parents of seven children, three of whom are deceased. The parents spent their lives in the Fatherland. Christ Kanning is the only member of the family living in Atchison county; two of the children live in Germany, and the other resides in Illinois. Christ received eight years of schooling in his native land, became a farmer in Westphalia, and in 1889 left the old home and immigrated to Madison county, Illinois, where he worked as a farm hand four years. In 1893 he migrated westward, to Atchison county, and with his savings bought eighty acres of land in section 24, Lancaster township. This tract was improved at the time of purchase, but Christ, in keeping with the policy of his neighbors and the other enterprising farmers of this noted township, was not satisfied with the buildings, and has practically replaced all the original improvements with residence and barns more in keeping with his ambition and prosperity. He has erected a large, eight-room residence, and a barn 40×46 feet, a granary, and a large windmill which pumps the water for his home and live stock. The Harry Searls place, which he also owns, is a very well improved farm, and is located just one-half mile east of the home farm of Mr. Kanning. It is a well kept modern place. Mr. Kanning keeps graded stock on his place.

Mr. Kanning was married February 29, 1888, to Caroline Stahlhut, and this marriage has been blessed with seven children, namely: Henry, deceased; Mrs. Christina Poos, Benton township; Mrs. Mary W. Poos, Benton township; Bertha, Otto, William, and Ada, all of whom are at home with their parents. Mrs. Kanning was born April 27, 1869, in Madison county, Illinois, and is a daughter of Henry and Mary (Debtner) Stahlhut, both of whom were natives of Germany, immigrating to America and settling in Madison county, Illinois, where they died. Mr. Kanning is one of those citizens who believe in doing their own thinking in political affairs, and is not allied with any political party, voting for the man, regardless of his politics, and making up his own mind as to each candidate’s personal fitness to ably perform the duties of the office sought. He and his family are members of the German Lutheran church.

THEO INTFEN.

Theo Intfen has been a resident of Atchison county for over half a century. He has seen the county transformed from a wilderness and unbroken prairie to a land of fertile farms and thriving cities and towns. Practically all of his life has been spent within sight of, or within, Atchison, and he has witnessed and taken part in the wonderful growth of his home city. Nearly thirty years of his life have been spent in building up the immense furniture and house furnishing business now located in his own building at 623–625 Commercial street. This business had its initial beginning in 1887 in the old Municipal theater building, under the firm name of Miller & Intfen. In 1890 the store was moved to the west half of the Ramsey building, where it remained under Mr. Intfen’s management until November 25, 1912, when it was removed to the present quarters. Mr. Intfen purchased the building and thoroughly remodeled it, erecting a new and modern front, and building an addition on the rear, 50×150 feet. A stock worth over $40,000 is carried on three floors and the basement. An immense credit business is handled in a successful manner, and nine men are employed by Mr. Intfen in the caring for the trade. Goods from the Intfen store are sold over a wide range of territory, the store having patrons located in Tennessee, Iowa, Florida, Philippine Islands, the Dakotas, Arkansas, Nebraska, Oregon, Illinois, Michigan, Oklahoma, and other states. He does an extensive business in Kansas and Missouri, and cares for a great many orders received from a distance. During the year of 1913 he made over 757 shipments from Atchison to distant railway points. Mr. Intfen is an extensive advertiser and believes in publicity for a healthy, growing concern such as he has built up.

Theo Intfen was born December 24, 1861, in Weston, Mo., and is a son of William and Mary (Piekman) Intfen, of Prussia. The Intfen home was just across the Holland-Prussian line. William Intfen and his wife immigrated to America in 1853 and made their first home for a number of years at Weston, Mo. In October, 1862, they crossed the Missouri river by means of a ferry and located on a farm, two and one-half miles north of Atchison. The elder Intfen developed his farm and reared a family. At this time there were not many settlers in Atchison county, and the city was but a village. The first store of the town was then doing business, and Theo Intfen can recall its appearance. Large trees stood on the site of many of the present business blocks. William Intfen became the owner of 180 acres of land, and was a prosperous farmer for those days. Mrs. Intfen died on the home farm in 1885. William Intfen came to Atchison after her death and died in 1901, at a ripe old age. Five children were born to them, namely: John J., a merchant of Atchison; Theo, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Minnie Miller, living at 714 Laramie street; Mrs. Anna Falk, of Andale, Kan.; Henry died at the age of two years.

Theo Intfen was reared on the pioneer farm and attended the district school in his neighborhood. He assisted his father on the home place until he attained his majority, and then decided to do things for himself. He went to Kanopolis, Eldridge county, Kansas, and opened the first store in the town. He sold sixty-two dollars’ worth of merchandise the first day he arrived from boxes in the street before getting into the store. He placed the first stock of goods in Kanopolis, and made the first sale of merchandise in the town. One year after establishing this store he sold out at a nice profit and returned to Atchison, where he engaged in the furniture business, as before stated. His success has been due to pronounced ability as a salesman, and his excellent judgment in financial affairs, and a knowledge of what the people will buy, and the carrying out of his plan to supply patrons on the credit plan, which is optional with the customer.

Mr. Intfen was married in 1893 to Miss Emma Zibold, and to this union has been born a daughter, Louise, born September 29, 1894, educated in Atchison and graduated from the Atchison Business College. From 1912 until her marriage she was her father’s bookkeeper. She was married on October 17, 1915, to LeRoy A. Osterbog, in charge of cost department of the Atchison Saddlery Company. Mrs. Intfen is a daughter of Merman Zibold, a native of Germany, who first settled in St. Louis, then lived in St. Joseph, and from there came to Atchison.

Mr. Intfen is an independent Democrat, politically, and does his own thinking as to what candidates he will support for office, when it is time for him to cast his ballots. While interested in good government, he does not take an active part in political affairs. He is strictly a business man, who has built up a monument to his own individual enterprise and energy through the development of the large Intfen store. He is likewise interested in his home city and takes a just pride in the fact that he has done his share to assist the development of Atchison, and is proud of the knowledge that he has witnessed the growth of a beautiful and prosperous city from its very beginning. He is a member of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, and is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen.

THOMAS FINNEGAN.

Thomas Finnegan, an Atchison county pioneer, who came to this county forty-eight years ago, is a successful farmer of Shannon township, and has resided on his present place for forty years. Thomas Finnegan is a native of Ireland, born in 1842, and is a son of Patrick and Hanora Finnegan. The father died when Thomas was less than a year old, and the mother came to this country, and died in Atchison county, at the home of her son, Thomas, in 1899, at the remarkably advanced age of 102 years.

When Thomas Finnegan immigrated to America, he first settled in Connecticut, where he remained for five years. He then went to Iowa, remaining in that State for fifteen years. While living in Iowa he worked out by the month a great deal and often worked for as low as eight dollars per month. In March, 1867, he came to Kansas, and after spending a short time in Atchison county, removed to Doniphan county, and for about two years worked at breaking prairie land with ox teams. He followed farming about two years in Doniphan county, and was also interested in a threshing outfit, which he operated for a time, and in 1870 he returned to Atchison county, and in 1871 bought 160 acres of land in Shannon township, where he has since been engaged in farming and has met with uniform success. He has one of the best farms in Atchison county, under an excellent state of cultivation, with a large producing orchard. Mr. Finnegan is a great lover of trees and timber, and in the early days in Kansas planted a great many trees, and now has a fine grove on his place, with many large maple, elm and walnut trees, as well as cottonwood, which adds greatly to the appearance of his place.

During the war Mr. Finnegan was employed as a Government teamster, and in 1863 he drove transfer teams in St. Louis. He was married in 1869 to Miss Anne Morley, a native of Ireland, born in 1850. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Finnegan: Nora married J. J. Slattery, Shannon township; John resides in Atchison; Mary married Joseph Schlesbaum, Atchison; Thomas, Houston, Tex.; James resides in California; Margaret married Joseph Longan, Doniphan county; Agatha resides at home, and Roger, farmer, Atchison county. Mr. Finnegan leans to independence in politics, and the family are members of the Catholic church.

SAMUEL E. BALLINGER.

Adjoining Atchison, to the westward there are many beautiful and well kept suburban homes. Along the road which borders Forest park on the west are some especially fine homes with well kept grounds, dotted with flowers and shrubbery, in striking contrast to the unkempt condition of the park upon which these suburban estates front. These homes make ideal places for people who have spent the greater part of their lives in farming pursuits, and, while wishing to be near the city, yet wish to have a larger space for a home setting than the thickly settled parts of the town would afford. In one of the beautiful homes fronting the highway resides Samuel E. Ballinger and his faithful wife and helpmeet, who have been residents of Atchison county for many years and are both descendants of old eastern families.

Samuel E. Ballinger was born September 7, 1843, in Salem county, New Jersey, a son of John G. and Sarah Ann (Reeves) Ballinger. His paternal grandfather was also named John G., who married a Quaker lady. His maternal grandfather was Stephen Reeves, a scion of an old eastern family, and in his day a leading ship builder of New Jersey. The father of Samuel E. was born in 1827 and died in 1906. During his life he was a miller and farmer and prominent in the affairs of Salem county, New Jersey. He was twice married, his first wife, Sarah Ann, dying in 1850, leaving three children: Stephen R., a retired miller of New Jersey, now deceased; Samuel E., and Thomas E., residing in Atchison. John G. Ballinger’s second wife was Sarah Austin, who bore him the following children: John, Charles, Walter, Ella, Gertrude, Emma, and Minnie.

Samuel E. received his education in the public schools of his native county and State and early learned to perform his share of the work required in the operation of his father’s gristmill and farm. He hauled grist from the mill to town and to the patrons of his father’s mill and assisted in cultivating his father’s farm when yet a boy in years. When he attained young manhood he was associated with his father in the livery and feed business at Camden, N. J., for a period of three years. He and his brother, Stephen, then bought the gristmill which they operated in partnership until 1871, following which he farmed for one year and then disposed of all of his holdings with the intention of migrating to Kansas. He came to Atchison, Kan., with a capital of $350 which he invested in eighty acres of improved land, costing him $2,400. This land was but partly improved, with a modest home of two rooms and a lean-to at the rear. He and his good wife by dint of economy and perseverance soon managed to pay off their indebtedness and to erect a rather pretentious dwelling, at the same time increasing their land holdings. Their first purchase was an eighty acre tract near the home farm, and they later bought a tract of 160 acres near Huron in Lancaster township, which they later traded for eighty acres near Shannon. Mr. Ballinger was the possessor at one time of 240 acres of well improved land. As age crept upon this worthy couple they gradually disposed of their land holdings until they retained but forty acres of the home place, and they moved to Atchison in September of 1907, where they invested in a beautiful suburban estate of five acres. Later, when they disposed of the forty acre farm they added ten acres to the suburban tract which has since become very valuable on account of its nearness to the city.

Mr. Ballinger was married September 7, 1870, to Janie Louise Paxson, and to this union have been born children, as follows: Mrs. Evelina Lancaster, of Severance, Kan., who is the mother of six children, namely: Samuel E., Sarah Catharine, William Andrew, Fred, Harry and Leonard: Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Yaple, of Atchison, mother of children as follows: Albert, Louise, Ruth, Esther (deceased), John, Edwin, Austin, Raymond, and Ernest, and twin boys, Harold Paxson and Herbert Ballinger. The mother of these children, Jane Louise (Paxson) Ballinger, was born December 2, 1844, in the city of Philadelphia, daughter of Samuel W. and Catharine (Speer) Paxson. Her father was the son of Irish parents and her mother was born of German parentage. Samuel W. was a carpenter by trade who was married in Camden, N. J., and plied his trade in that vicinity for many years. He served in behalf of the Union during the Civil war in a Pennsylvania regiment of volunteers. A brother, Henry, served in the Tenth regiment of New Jersey volunteer infantry.

Mr. Ballinger has always been a Republican in politics, but has never taken an active part in political matters. He is a member of the Central Protective Association. He is essentially a home man and takes a pride in keeping his attractive home in excellent condition, and can be seen most any day working about the grounds surrounding the Ballinger home. Mr. and Mrs. Ballinger are a worthy couple, kind and indulgent with their children whom they have endeavored to rear so that they might lead upright and worthy lives in the community.

CHARLES WILLIAM ROBINSON.

Charles William Robinson, county physician of Atchison county, assistant surgeon for the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company, and one of the prominent and successful members of the medical profession in northeastern Kansas, is a native son of the Sunflower State and was born on his father’s farm in Noble township, Marshall county, March 1, 1890, a son of William F. and Mary (Critchfield) Robinson. His parents were born in Buchanan county, Missouri, his father in 1853, and his mother in 1857. William F. Robinson became a resident of Kansas in the seventies, locating in Marshall county, where he engaged in farming and stock raising. He is one of the extensive land owners of that county, his properties exceeding 1,200 acres. He has been actively identified with the development of his section, is one of his county’s most influential citizens, and has attained a secure position in its commercial, social and political life. Mr. Robinson has been married twice. Two children, James M. Robinson, M. D., of Hiawatha, Kan: and Lucille, now Mrs. Dr. A. E. Ricks, of Atchison, were born of the first marriage. Our subject, Dr. Charles W. Robinson, is the only child of the second marriage.

Dr. Robinson received his early educational discipline in the public schools of his native county, supplemented by a course in the Hiawatha Academy. He subsequently completed a course in Washburn College, Topeka, and then entered the medical department of Kansas University, from which he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, a member of the class of 1913. Following his graduation, he located for practice in the city of Atchison, where he formed a partnership with Dr. C. A. Lilly. Shortly after engaging in the practice of his profession, he was appointed county physician, an unusual honor for a practitioner to receive during his first year of practice. That he has filled the office with credit is attested by his having been re-appointed in 1914, and again in 1915. Dr. Robinson has built up a very lucrative practice and is recognized as one of the most able of the younger members of the medical profession in his section of the State. The demands of his practice have not caused him to forego his habit of study. He keeps abreast of the advancement in medicine and surgery, and during the winter of 1914–15 completed a post-graduate course in diseases of children at the Nursery and Child’s Hospital, New York City. He is a member of the Atchison County Medical Society, the Kansas State, and the American Medical Associations. He is also a member of Orient Lodge, No. 57, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Topeka; Atchison Lodge, No. 647, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Atchison Aerie, No. 173, Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Royal Arcanum, Fraternal Aid, Kansas Fraternal Citizens, Homesteaders, Yeoman of America, and Ancient Order of United Workmen.

Since becoming a citizen of Atchison, Dr. Robinson has taken an active interest in those measures and projects which have had for their object the betterment and development of the city. He also finds time to take an active part in its social life. Dr. Robinson is unmarried.

JOHN McINTEER.

John McInteer was a builder who had an abiding faith in the eventual development of the West. He was a pioneer citizen of Atchison, and a prominent figure in the city for over forty-five years, and had an intimate acquaintance with the sturdy characters who had much to do with the development of the Sunflower State. He came to Atchison in the days when the great wagon trains left in a continuous, and often unbroken, stream for the Far West with their valuable cargoes of freight. So great was his confidence in the ultimate growth of his adopted city that he invested his savings in real property, built of brick and stone, which are still standing in the city. The handsome McInteer block on Commercial street is a monument to his enterprise and faith in the growth of the city. Mr. McInteer was well and favorably known among the coterie of famous men who have cast luster upon Atchison and the State of Kansas. He was a consistent and unremitting booster for his home city and State, and the substantial fortune and good name which he left behind prove his judgment and business acumen to have been sound and essentially correct.

Mr. McInteer was born in Donegal, Ireland, in 1827, and immigrated to America alone when a boy. He had heard of the wonders of the new land across the ocean, and dreamed of one day sailing across the waters of the broad Atlantic to the land of the free, there to seek his fortune. How his dream came true is told in the succeeding paragraphs. His first employment was in Philadelphia as a laborer. Opportunity did not seem to beckon to him in the “City of Brotherly Love” sufficient to hold him, however, and he turned his face still farther to the westward, going to the newer State of Indiana, where he learned the trade of harness maker. He first started a business of his own in Jeffersonville, Ind. While busily engaged in this Ohio river town in plying his trade with a fair modicum of success, he heard of the opening up of the vast stretches of land west of the Missouri river. His Celtic imagination was still working and he pictured to himself the possibilities of realizing his ambitions in one of the new cities of Kansas. His decision was soon made; he heeded the famous Greeley’s advice, “Go West, young man, go West, and grow up with the country.” Accordingly, he sold out his little shop and started for Omaha. On the way up the Missouri river his wife was taken ill and he changed his plans to the extent of stopping in Doniphan county, Kansas, and taking up a homestead. One year later he traded his claim for a lot at Eighth and Commercial streets in Atchison. Upon this lot he built a small shop, where he again began the manufacture of harness and saddles. For several years he supplied the great overland trains which passed to the Far West. His trade grew and he was compelled to enlarge his quarters and engaged in the manufacture of harness and saddles on an extensive scale. As he prospered and accumulated capital he erected buildings and invested in real estate in Atchison and the nearby city of St. Joseph. He also erected a modern brick residence where his widow now lives. He died July 17, 1901.

He was twice married, his first wife being Alice Conley, who died in 1892 without issue. In 1895 he married Mrs. Anna (Conlon) Donovan, of Montreal, Canada, whose parents, James and Anna Conlon, were well known citizens of Atchison, and whose personal history will be found in the biography of Charles J. Conlon, brother of Mrs. McInteer. Mrs. McInteer was reared in Atchison, returned to New York with her parents, and was there married to Peter Donovan, who was a customs officer under the Canadian Government at Montreal. He died in Montreal in 1891. Three sons were born of this marriage: Peter Donovan, a widely known journalist, of Toronto, now a contributor to the Toronto Saturday Night; Fred, in the insurance and real estate business in Atchison; Charles, a farmer and stockman, residing with his mother.

Mr. McInteer was a member of the Catholic church, and a liberal contributor to his own and other religious denominations. He was one of those big-hearted, whole-souled gentlemen, who was a friend to all, and who was highly regarded for his many excellent qualities of heart and mind. He was independent in politics. The foregoing brief review is thus contributed to the history of Atchison county in order that it be placed on record for all time, and perchance, prove an inspiration for other young men, poor in purse, whose destiny is yet to be worked out, and who probably dream of accumulating wealth or a competence in their generation.

HENRY HANSON LOUDENBACK.

A review of the educational institutions of Atchison county would be incomplete without mention being made of the Loudenback School of Music. It is probable that no institution within the borders of the State of Kansas has had a more rapid, substantial and satisfactory growth than has the school under the direct supervision and management of Professor Loudenback. Established in 1912 as a school of piano and theory, enlarged in 1913, and incorporated in 1914, it is now authorized by the State to issue diplomas and certificates. It is rapidly building an enviable reputation for thoroughness of instruction, having graduated pupils who are conceded to be artists of recognized ability, and its importance as an educational institution of the highest grade is appreciated by the residents of its home city.

Henry Hanson Loudenback, founder and principal of the Loudenback School of Music, was born in a log cabin on his father’s farm in Hancock county, Indiana (the county seat, Greenfield, being the birthplace of James Whitcomb Riley), March 17, 1879, a son of Daniel and Margaret (McCray) Loudenback. His paternal grandparents were Henry Loudenback, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Hancock county, Indiana, in 1836, one of the early pioneers of that section, and Elizabeth Brown, a native of Virginia, of German ancestry. Daniel Loudenback was born in Hancock county in 1846 and reared in a district which at that time was almost a wilderness. Splitting rails was an occupation which took up a good portion of his time. With his father, he settled on a farm about three miles from Charlottesville. This property they developed into a highly productive farm. Henry Loudenback died in 1905. Daniel engaged in business in Charlottesville in 1882, and in 1883 established a store at Wilkinson, which he conducted until his death, in 1888. He had married, when a young man, Margaret McCray, now a resident of Wilkinson, who survives him. They were the parents of two children: Henry Hanson, the subject of this review, and Allie Almeda Cook, of Wilkinson, Ind.

Henry Hanson Loudenback received his educational discipline in the public schools of his native State, and in 1898 came to Kansas and joined relatives who resided near Centralia. He became a teacher in the country schools, and later spent one year teaching music, going from place to place on horseback. From early childhood he had given evidence of remarkable musical ability, and had sung in public when only four years of age. After learning harmonies from his sister, he began to improvise his own melodies, and to harmonize them upon the reed organ. His first real lessons were taken when thirteen years of age. In the fall of 1901 he entered Campbell University at Holton, Kan., and was graduated from that institution, in music, in 1902. Since receiving his degree from Campbell College he has studied piano, harmony and composition with the best teachers of these subjects in America, his training being under such noted musicians as Fannie Bloomfield Zeisler, of Chicago, the world’s greatest woman pianist; Mr. and Mrs. A. K. Virgil, of New York City; Peter C. Lutkin and Arne Oldberg, of Northwestern University, at Evanston; and Allen Spencer, of the American Conservatory of Music, Chicago. From 1902 until 1906 he was director of music in the Atchison County High School; from 1906 until 1910, professor of music in South Dakota State College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts; from 1910 until 1912, director of piano, pipe organ, and musical theory at the Dakota Wesleyan University. In 1912 he founded the Loudenback School of Music at Atchison, and since its establishment has devoted his entire time to its management and the teaching of piano and musical theory. He is an accredited teacher of piano and theory by the Kansas State Music Teachers’ Association, and was a member of the executive committee of that organization which issued certificates to accredited teachers in December, 1914, and was appointed a member of the committee on piano standards for 1915, and in December, 1910, was elected vice-president of that association, and was appointed a member of the special accrediting committee. He has appeared twice as piano soloist with the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, and numbers among his friends many of the great musicians of the present day.

Professor Loudenback married on June 28, 1900, Miss Flora Donald, a daughter of George and Christy (Black) Donald, of Centralia, Kan. Her father was an early settler and prominent farmer.

Professor and Mrs. Loudenback are the parents of the following children: George Daniel, born November 23, 1901; Allie Mae, born March 12, 1904; Ramona Lolita, born July 25, 1905; Henry, born August 17, 1907; and Donald, born July 19, 1909. The children have inherited their father’s love of music and show talent.

FRANK P. WERTZ.

Frank P. Wertz, deputy county clerk of Atchison county, is one of the progressive young men of the county. He was born at Parnell, Atchison county, September 2, 1888, and is a son of David M. and Elizabeth Caroline Wertz, natives of Pennsylvania. They were married in their native State and shortly afterwards came West, and located on a farm in Atchison county, where they have been very successful. David M. Wertz began life with nothing, and by industry and keen foresight has become one of the substantial and well-to-do men of Atchison county. He has always taken a commendable interest in the welfare of his community. To David M. Wertz and wife have been born the following children: Frank P., the subject of this sketch; Eva married H. J. Barber, a banker, of Cummings, Kan.; Abraham, a farmer and stockman, Mt. Pleasant, Atchison county; Fredrick, a farmer in Mt. Pleasant township, Atchison county; Rosetta, the wife of Fred C. Voelker, a farmer, of Shannon township, Atchison county, and Bertha E., who resides at home.

Frank P. Wertz was reared on the home farm in Atchison county and educated in the public schools, graduating from the Atchison County High School. He then took a course in the Atchison Business College, and graduated in 1909. He then became assistant cashier of the State Bank of Cummings, and remained in that position for two years, when he resigned to accept his present position. Frank P. Wertz takes a live interest in the welfare of the community. He is a member of the Masonic lodge and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a popular county official, and his genial manner and obliging nature, coupled with efficiency and close application to the duties of his office, have won for him many stanch friends and supporters.

THOMAS L. CLINE.

For sixty years Thomas L. Cline has lived in Mt. Pleasant township, Atchison county, and he is one of the oldest of Kansas pioneers in point of years of residence in the State. Coming to this county when he was ten years of age with his parents he has lived to see Kansas become prosperous and the vast prairie transformed by the hand of man into a truly good place to live. He, himself, has risen in the course of time to become one of the wealthy farmers of the county, and despite his three score and ten years of age he still oversees the work on his large farm of 320 acres.

Mr. Cline was born October 8, 1845, in Henry county, Iowa, a son of Henry and Eleanor (Leanord) Cline, both natives of Ohio. The parents of both Henry and Eleanor moved at a very early day from Ohio to Illinois, where they were married. The parents of T. L. Cline lived but a short time in Illinois and then removed to Henry county, Iowa, where four of the children were born, of whom T. L. was the youngest. The family lived in Iowa for sixteen years and came to Kansas as early as 1855. Henry settled on a quarter section of land, which is still in the family, and is owned by Thomas L., adjoining the quarter section upon which the home of the subject is located. At the time the Clines located in Atchison county the country was a vast reach of unpeopled prairie broken by belts of timber along the streams. Prairie fires were very common in those days. Henry Cline persuaded a neighbor to preëmpt the adjoining section to his and eventually bought it and increased his acreage to 480 acres in all. An interesting feature of the Cline farm is the stone fencing which is built around a portion of the farm. Stone fences are a rarity in Kansas and are found only in the occasional places where stone is plentiful, and their building required time and plenty of it on the part of men who in the early days made the building of stone fences a vocation and followed it as their method of earning a living. While a portion of the stone work on the farm has been replaced by wire fencing, 300 rods of this fence are in excellent condition despite the fact that it was erected over forty-five years ago. T. L. Cline in speaking reminiscently of the old days recalls that the “grasshopper” visitation of 1866 was every whit as bad as in the years of 1874 and 1875, and he also recalls seeing a company of “red shirts” or border ruffians encamped near his father’s farm. Henry Cline died in 1875, his widow dying in 1901 at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Mary E. Blodgett. Henry and Eleanor Cline reared the following children: Julia Ann (Jay), deceased, at Rock Creek, Kan.; Mary E. Blodgett, Walnut township; Charles W. died in Union service at Drywood, Mo., and Thomas L., the youngest.

T. L. Cline grew up on his father’s farm and has never lived anywhere else since he was ten years of age. He was married in 1874 to Miss Susan Vandiver. The following children were born of this marriage: Ora, wife of Edward Bradley, of Atchison county; Nellie, wife of Martin Decker, living in Leavenworth county, Kansas; Charles Cline, farming on the home place; T. L., Jr., better known as Lloyd, at home with his parents and assists in farm work. The mother of these children was born February 11, 1853, in Green county, Wisconsin, a daughter of Edward and Irene (Holloway) Vandiver, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Providence, R. I. The respective parents of Edward and Irene Vandiver removed from their native states to Illinois, and it was in that State that they were married. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Wisconsin and settled on a farm near Monroe, in Green county. They resided in Wisconsin for sixteen years and then returned to Schuyler county, Illinois. After a residence of ten years in Illinois they came to Atchison county, Kansas, to make a permanent home. Edward Vandiver was a personal friend of Abraham Lincoln and often rode with Lincoln to and from political gatherings. His political beliefs were the same as Mr. Lincoln’s. Mr. Vandiver was also acquainted with Stephen A. Douglas and attended the famous Lincoln and Douglas debates.

For one year after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Cline lived at the home of Mr. Cline’s parents, when T. L. built a home for himself on a part of the family estate. After his father’s demise he bought his mother’s interest in the estate and moved to the old home place where he still resides. Mr. Cline has always been a stockman and a large feeder of cattle and hogs. He is now raising sheep and has about 140 head of these animals on his farm. He has always been a stanch Republican, as his father was before him, and has usually taken an active part in political and civic affairs. He served for many years as a member of the school board and was succeeded by his son, Charles, as a member of the board when T. L. refused to serve any longer. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers State Bank of Potter, Kan., and is generally found in the forefront of all good movements tending to promote the welfare of the people in his neighborhood. Mr. Cline carries his years lightly and can be seen almost any day directing the farm work and is very active for his years. Thomas L. Cline is one of Atchison county’s grand old men and is a true Kansas pioneer.

ROBERT FORBRIGER.

In the present incumbent of the county assessor’s office, the people of Atchison county are extremely fortunate in having a painstaking, faithful and conscientious public servant who believes in doing his duty by the people, taxpayers, and for the people as the law provides. It is probable that no other individual in the county has a wider or more intimate knowledge of values and property ownership in Atchison county than Mr. Forbriger. Born in Atchison county in the pioneer days when the county was in process of early settlement, he has grown up with the city and county and has a speaking acquaintance with almost every person within the confines of his native heath. Kind and obliging to a high degree, he has made himself invaluable as a citizen and able county official, and is well liked and highly esteemed for his many excellent qualities.

The father of the gentleman named in the foregoing paragraph was Robert Forbriger, a native of Saxony, Germany, born in 1825, immigrated to America in 1848 and died in the city of his adoption in 1886. The senior Forbriger was a man of good education, and came of a family of scholars and educators in his native land. Therefore, he was well equipped to fight a winning battle for success in the land of his adoption. He first located in Elgin, Ill., and after a residence of ten years in that city, came to Atchison in 1858. This thriving and beautiful city was then in its infancy, and Mr. Forbriger had the distinction of being one of its foremost citizens and builders in the early days. He obtained a job in the J. E. Wagner hardware store, which was situated on the southeast corner of Fourth and Commercial streets. Not long afterward he engaged in the insurance and real estate business and from that drifted into the banking business. He, with George Storch and John Belz, established the German Savings Bank, which was later reorganized as the United States National Bank. This new organization erected the building at the corner of Sixth and Commercial streets. Mr. Forbriger was connected with the banking concern until his death, after which the institution was again reorganized. He was active in civic and business affairs in Atchison during his long residence here, and was always a booster for his adopted city, liberal in his donations and support of public enterprises, and a benefactor of churches and charitable enterprises. It is said of him that he always generously responded to calls for assistance in the name of charity, religion or civic betterment of the community. As a citizen he did his duty in an official capacity, serving as a member of the city council and as an active member of the city school board. During the early sixties when Atchison was yet a village he served as a member of the town council. In addition he served three terms as city assessor. While a Democrat in politics, he was a great admirer and warm personal friend of the late Senator Ingalls, and it was the Senator’s custom to make his headquarters in Mr. Forbriger’s office while at home, on his return from Washington. This pioneer citizen was a charter member and officer of the Turner’s Society, a famous athletic organization in the early days. He was reared in the Lutheran faith, but was broadly tolerant of all creeds and religious beliefs. It was only natural that he should have been a charter member of the Atchison Masonic lodge, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. During the Civil war he was enrolled as a member of the State militia, and responded to the call for volunteers to repel Price’s invasion and served in Colonel Quigg’s command.

Robert Forbriger, the elder, was married in 1862 to Helen Geier, born in Limbach, Baden, Germany, and died in Atchison. She came from her native land to Philadelphia with a sister and cousin, and from there journeyed to Atchison. To them were born three children as follows: Robert, of this review; Emil, engaged in business in East Atchison; Bertha, wife of M. Noll, druggist of Atchison.

Robert Forbriger, the son, was educated in the public schools and St. Benedict’s College. He then entered his father’s bank and also engaged in the insurance business. After his father’s death he continued in the insurance business for a number of years, until he began his service as postoffice clerk, during Cleveland’s administration. After four years in the mercantile business he filled the office of deputy register of deeds for four years; served three years as deputy county assessor, and was elected to the office of county assessor in 1912, and again elected or appointed to the office by the board of county commissioners in 1914. In his younger days he served several years as a regular fireman under three successive fire chiefs, and two terms as city councilman. While originally a Democrat, he deserted the party in 1896, as many others did, to follow the teachings of William McKinley, and now takes an active part in Republican politics, and is sincere and active in his work in behalf of the candidates of his party. Having been born in Atchison, April 4, 1863, it is only natural that he should gather for his sustenance some of the needful in the way of property, and is the owner of a fine fruit farm of twenty-eight acres near the city, and in addition has five residence properties in the city, with properties in Oklahoma and Seattle, Wash.

Mr. Forbriger was married May 21, 1888, to Carrie Wagner, and to them have been born two children: Helen, wife of Leo T. Markey, a banker of Greeley, Kan.; Ralph, a student of electrical engineering in the Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College, at Starkville, Miss. The mother of these children was born at Port Washington, near Milwaukee, and is a daughter of Henry and Rosa Wagner, natives of Germany, who removed from Milwaukee to Atchison where Henry Wagner became a bridge contractor and builder. Mr. Wagner for a long period of years did practically all of the bridge construction work in Atchison county.

Mr. Forbriger is a member of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, and is broad and tolerant in his religious views, taking the staple ground that the manner of life a man lives, regardless of his religious belief, determines his salvation. He is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Fraternal Citizens, and the Modern Brotherhood of America.

HIRAM H. HACKNEY.

The measure of a man’s real worth to a community determines his standing and niche in the local hall of fame. While several things may be summed up in the final reckoning as to what constitutes a really useful citizen, his service to his fellow citizens in furthering institutions which are of the greatest benefit to the greatest number takes precedence over wealth, business ability, political success, or any accomplishments which have a tendency to place the individual ahead of his fellow men. No greater service to a city can be rendered than by the building up of a modern, progressive public school system. He who furthers the cause of education in a practical manner and takes a keen interest in the success of the city’s educational systems, as an unselfish task, befitting his citizenship, is entitled to an everlasting place in the hearts and minds of his fellow citizens. The public school system of Atchison is a monument to the labors of Hiram H. Hackney, and his fellow members of the board of education during the eight years while Mr. Hackney served as president of the board.

Hiram H. Hackney is a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, born near Uniontown, November 30, 1859. He is a son of Hiram H. and Elizabeth (Wyley) Hackney, both natives of Pennsylvania. The Hackney family in America came originally from the town of Hackney, England, now a part of the city of London, in the early part of the seventeenth century. Hiram H., the elder, was born in 1822, and died in 1899. He was the son of John Hackney, born in 1776, and lived on the original homestead of the Hackneys, who were Quaker followers of William Penn. Elizabeth Wyley was born in 1830, a daughter of Jacob and Hannah Way Wyley, members of an old colonial family of Irish descent. Hiram H., Sr., was a resident of Uniontown in his old age, and was the last surviving member of the board of directors, chartering the First National Bank of Uniontown. He was well to do and invested some of his funds in the West, becoming one of the original stockholders of the First National Bank of Atchison. He was also a “Forty Niner,” going overland to the gold fields of California in 1848, with a train of fortune hunters who outfitted at St. Louis and fought continually with the Indians on the trip across the plains and mountains. He engaged in the mercantile business at Sacramento and Marysville, Cal., for a period of two years. He returned home by way of Cape Horn, but made another trip before settling down to the pursuit of farming and business in his native State. His brother, Samuel, died of mountain fever while engaged in mining in the gold fields of California. Mr. Hackney became an extensive farmer, stockman and banker, and prospered exceedingly. He was known as a solid Quaker citizen “whose word was as good as his note.” Of his five children, four are living as follows: Mrs. Edward G. Hudson, of Newton, Kan.; Edgar S., of Uniontown: Dr. Jacob S., a practitioner in Uniontown, and Francis, who died in Pittsburgh.

Hiram H. Hackney, of Atchison, was educated in the State Normal School at California, Penn., and Duff’s Mercantile College, Pittsburgh. He did farm work while a youth, and taught school for two years. His father having purchased an interest in the First National Bank of this city he came here in 1881 and served as assistant cashier and director of the bank until 1910. He then sold his holdings and retired from banking pursuits on account of ill health, due to long years of close confinement to his duties. He then established a real estate, insurance, bond and loan business which he is now conducting with success. Mr. Hackney is interested in Atchison real estate, and coal lands in Pennsylvania, and is vice-president of the Blair Milling Company of Atchison.

In politics he is a Republican, and the only office he has ever held has been that of member of the board of education, from the presidency of which body he has only recently retired. Of his services on behalf of the public schools during his sixteen years’ membership on the board. The Atchison Globe said: “H. H. Hackney retired last night as a member of the school board and that board has lost its most useful member for at least two reasons: Mr. Hackney had the ability to handle the school finances and the time necessary to accomplish the things the board laid out. In addition he possessed an ambition to establish a system of schools and equipment that would reflect credit on the city and on the school board. He was a member of the board for sixteen years and its president for eight years, and during the eight years he was president he never had a disagreement with a member and there was never a question came up which was not settled either by an unanimous vote or in a way that left the members friendly. There never was a ‘row’ in the school board and there never was a session where reporters were barred. In the last eight years and under the management of Mr. Hackney, the school board has spent $300,000 in school betterments and the total indebtedness is but $25,000 greater than it was eight years ago. This includes the new Ingalls Building, Washington Building, accepting the plans and letting all contracts for the new Martin building, now under course of construction, rebuilding Franklin and building the new Douglas school. In these eight years manual training, mechanical drawing, domestic art and science, a commercial department, normal training, agriculture and physical training have been added to the high school, a school nurse employed, music added to all grades and kindergartens established in two buildings. Since Mr. Hackney became a member of the board the high school enrollment has increased from 66 to 338 and the faculty from three to twenty members.”...

During the time Mr. Hackney was a member of the school board he missed but one regular meeting. He is president of the board of trustees of the First Presbyterian Church and is a member of the board of directors of the Young Men’s Christian Association.

He was married in September of 1888, to Frances Blair, a daughter of E. K. Blair, deceased, formerly of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, founder of the Blair Milling Company of Atchison. Mrs. Hackney’s mother was Barbara (Allen) Blair. She was born and reared in Atchison, in the house located on the same lot where the Hackneys now live, with the exception of their first two years of married life, during which the new home was erected at 1021 North Third street. To Mr. and Mrs. Hackney have been born two children of whom they are justly proud, Helen Elizabeth, born 1890, a graduate of the College Preparatory School of Atchison, and the Bennett School for Girls, located on the Hudson, in New York, carrying honors at both her graduations; Edward Blair Hackney, born in 1893, is a graduate of the city high school and the Kansas University at Lawrence, where he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. While a student of the university he managed the Jay Hawker, the college annual, and performed his duties so ably and so thoroughly that Chancellor Strong declared that the “Annual” issue under his management was the best ever issued, the cost of which was $4,500, and managed so well that a nice profit was earned. The young man is now a traveling salesman for the Blair Milling Company.