August Weide of Stafford, Kan., retired farmer and wealthy land owner, is one of the sturdy German-Americans who has so materially aided in the great development not only of Kansas but of the United States. He was born in Germany, Nov. 27, 1844, the son of William Weide, who was also a son of the Fatherland, born there in 1812. August was one of a family of five, two of whom are dead. As his father owned a farm near Saxon Weimar, the boy grew up in a healthy country environment and received a good German education. Determined to seek his fortune in the New World, when only a boy of nineteen he landed alone in the United States in 1863. He soon located in Milwaukee, Wis., finding employment in a distillery. Within the year he became fired with patriotism and enlisted in Company K, Ninth Wisconsin infantry. During his service Mr. Weide was in several important battles, but was never wounded. In February, 1866, he was honorably discharged at Little Rock, Ark., because of partial disability, having had a sunstroke, which caused him to become slightly hard of hearing. Soon after leaving the army he returned to Wisconsin, located at Green Bay, and there secured a position as setter in a sawmill. For twelve years he followed this occupation, but hearing of the many golden opportunities in the new West he came to Kansas, in 1878, locating first in Saline county. Three months later he moved to Rush county and took up a soldier's homestead. For four years he lived on the claim, making final proof and securing a patent. After gaining title to the homestead Mr. Weide rented land in Pottawatomie county for one year, but again turned to the west and rented land for two years in Barton county. During this time he was thrifty, raised fine crops and prospered in a marked degree. He bought land in Stafford county, now owns several sections in both Stafford and Kiowa counties worth from $100 to $150 an acre. Success seems to have followed in his footsteps wherever he moves. Today all his land is under cultivation and highly improved. Since retiring from his farms Mr. Weide has built one of the finest and most modern homes in the town of Stafford, where he is recognized as one of the most enthusiastic and progressive citizens, always planning for the betterment of the city in which he has elected to pass the sunset years of life. In 1910 Mr. Weide organized the Stafford Opera House Company, which erected a modern opera house named "The Weide" in his honor. One of the most important improvements in the southwest is due to the energy of this man, and that was the erection of the first grain elevator in Greensburg, which has been of great benefit to the farmers of the surrounding country. Mr. Weide is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and the German Lutheran church. In politics he is an enthusiastic Republican and stands for progress in all public affairs, social, educational and agricultural. Mr. Weide favors good roads, as well as all other movements tending toward the uplift of the country and community, and is regarded as one of the most representative farmers in the Southwest.

On Oct. 17, 1867, Mr. Weide was married at Green Bay, Wis., to Caroline Meyer, daughter of August and Amelia Meyer, both natives of Germany, who spent their lives in the Fatherland, where the father died in 1876 and the mother in 1848. Mrs. Weide was born in Germany March 19, 1842. She became acquainted with her future husband before he came to America. He sent for her to come to the United States, in 1867, and their marriage followed. Seven children have been born to them: Bertha, born Aug. 25, 1868, at Green Bay, Wis., married Reuben Nieden, who now lives in Los Angeles, Cal.; Otto, born March 9, 1870, now a prominent farmer in Stafford county; Amelia, born Nov. 12, 1871; William, born Aug. 21, 1873, now one of the well-to-do farmers of Kiowa county; Alwine, born April 25, 1876, the wife of Seph Harmon, a miller at Mowry, Okla.; Emma, born Jan. 4, 1882, the wife of Charles Thompson, a contractor at Stafford; Carl, born Oct. 18, 1884, and died June 29, 1908. Mr. Weide is proud of his children. He has given each of them a good education and started them in business. All the boys have followed the excellent example of the father and are prosperous and progressive farmers.