Frank W. Sachs, Topeka's leading florist, was born in Saxony, Germany, Nov. 1, 1841. He is the only child of Henry and Eliza (Weller) Sachs, both of whom spent their entire lives in Germany. Henry Sachs was born in 1817, and after a long and useful life, during which he made several trips to America to visit his son, Frank W., he passed away, in 1904, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. He had survived his wife many years, as her death occurred about 1880.

Frank W. Sachs, the subject of this review, received a good education in the excellent German schools and gymnasium during his youth, and at an early age engaged to learn the florist's business with J. Döppled, whose fame as a German florist, as well as for his 200 acres of floral gardens, is known everywhere. After three years of careful training under Döppled Mr. Sachs went to the Black Sea country and engaged with some of the finest florists of that section for two years. He then spent several years in the floral gardens of Italy, Switzerland and Bavaria, securing a scientific knowledge of the business in all its phases. He then returned to his native land and, in 1866, married Miss Francisco Sëppel, who bore him two children: Frank, now residing in Germany, and Helen, now residing in Kansas City, Mo. Mrs. Sachs died in 1869. When the Franco-Prussian war came on Mr. Sachs was assigned to the Germany commissary department, as he could speak French, and served until the close of hostilities. In 1874 he came to America, and after visiting various parts of the United States he located in St. Louis, Mo., where he engaged in the florist business. In 1877 he came to Topeka and has successfully operated a plant in that city ever since. He is a thorough master of the florist's art, and a visit to his plant, with its fine equipment and superb collections of rare and beautiful plants, will convince any one of its scientific management.

In St. Louis, Mo., in 1877, occurred Mr. Sachs' second marriage, when Miss Eliza Sheetz became his wife. She, too, is a native of Germany, but came to America when a girl. Four children bless this union: Frederick, William, Minnie and Annie. Frederick Sachs is superintendent of the Capital City Vitrified Brick Company of Topeka; William is associated with his father in the florist's business; Minnie is now Mrs. Leonard Lloyd of Topeka; and Annie is now Mrs. Edward Smith of Kansas City, Mo. Mr. Sachs' early training and scientific knowledge of the business accounts for his great success since locating in Topeka, for when he arrived there he had but $1.75 in cash and was compelled to start at the bottom rung of the ladder. His plant is located on West Tenth avenue, and for size and equipment ranks as the best in the city. He makes a specialty of floral designs, cut flowers, and blooming house plants. Politically Mr. Sachs is a Democrat, but in local affairs he believes in supporting the best man for the office regardless of party. He and his son, William Sachs, are members of the German Turner Society, and as he is supple and preserved for one of his age, he claims much of it is due to his lifelong association with the Turners. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sachs are members of the German Lutheran church of Topeka.