A. C. Stich, one of the best known and most successful bankers and financiers of Kansas, is a native of Germany, born at Stade, in the province of Hanover, Oct. 13, 1846, being the son of Carl and Eleanor (Hilbers) Stich. Adolph had one sister and two brothers: John, William and Dorette, all of whom were born in the Fatherland. In 1857 the parents and their children emigrated from the Old Country to seek what fortune had in store for them in America, the land of promise to so many Germans, who have made such excellent citizens. They located in Kalamazoo, Mich., when A. C. Stich was a lad of eleven. He had already attended school in Germany, but after settling in the United States entered the public schools of Kalamazoo. He never had any higher educational training than that afforded by the common schools, but through the avenues of a wide and extended business career, through books and magazines, and close observation Mr. Stich has become well informed on many subjects of general interest. As a youth Mr. Stich worked on the farm in Michigan for a meager salary, but he was ambitious and thrifty and managed to save enough money to engage, in a limited way, in the agricultural implement business in Kalamazoo. In 1872, accompanied by his brother, he came to Kansas, and on September 17 of that year located at Independence, where he has since continued to reside. Within a short time after coming to Independence the brothers opened a shoe store and other lines were added from time to time, until they carried a large stock of general merchandise. The business prospered and Mr. Stich remained in the mercantile business for ten years. In 1883 he purchased a half interest in the Hull Bank, of which he became cashier. This bank was reorganized in 1891 as the Citizens National Bank of Independence, and Mr. Stich became president of the institution, which position he still holds. During his residence in Independence Mr. Stich has materially contributed to the upbuilding of the city, and has ever sought to promote its industrial interests. Among the many enterprises with which he has been and is identified is the "Carl Leon" hotel building, a magnificent structure erected in the year 1902 by Mr. Stich and his partner, G. M. Carpenter, of Elgin, Kan. Mr. Stich, with other business associates, was instrumental in building the Beldorf Theater, a great benefit to the city and its inhabitants. He is president of the Coffeyville Vitrified Brick and Tile Company, which owns plants at Coffeyville, Independence, Cherryvale, Kan., Collinsville, Okla., and Fort Smith, Ark. He is also treasurer of the Western States Portland Cement Company, of independence. Ever since coming to Kansas he has been an active member of the Republican party, and was elected mayor of Independence on that ticket, his term expiring in 1908. Mr. Stich has been twice married: first in 1872 to Anna Winsor, of Hillsdale, Mich. She died at Independence in 1882. Three children were born to this union, all of whom are deceased. In 1888 Mr. Stich married Mrs. Cathleen E. Raisor, a lady of culture and attainment. She is an active worker in the Presbyterian church, of which both she and her husband are members. Fraternally Mr. Stich is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He is also, and has been for twenty years, a trustee of Washburn College, Topeka, Kan.