HERMANN FUHLHAGE.

A quiet but steadfast persistence marks the German race and has been a potent element in winning success for its representatives. This national trait is manifest in the career of Hermann Fuhlhage, now a well known and progressive farmer of Belmont township, who has made his home in Woodson County since 1867. He was born in the village of Haseback, Lippe-Detmold, Germany, February 19, 1839, and is a son of Hermann and Dorothy (Ricks) Fuhlhage. Te[sic] former was a farmer by occupation and his forefathers had resided in that locality for many generations previously. He had seven children, namely: Wilhelmina, who became the wife of Cyrus Houseman and died in Germany; Lena, who married Conrad Tasche and also died in the fatherland; Fritz, who departed this life in Germany; Charlotte, who married Ernest Obermeyer

and died in Germany; August, who died in Wisconsin; Hermann, and William, who is living in Woodson County.

Hermann Fuhlhage attended school until fourteen years of age, and when a youth of seventeen he began working at the brickmaker's trade which he followed in several German states, being identified with that line of enterprise for ten years. In that time he had managed to save a few hundred dollars, but believing that better business opportunities were afforded in the new world he resolved to seek his fortune in America. Accordingly he bade adieu to home and friends, and in April, 1867, sailed from Bremen to New York, where he landed after a voyage of thirteen days. His destination was Kansas for he had friends living in this county, and in due time he arrived at his journey's end. He took up his abode on Cherry creek in Everett township, secured a homestead of eighty acres and for fourteen years there resided, during which period he developed a fine farm. In 1881 he came to Belmont township where he purchased the southwest quarter of section thirty-one. Continually he has added to his landed possessions as his financial resources have increased until to-day he owns almost one thousand acres, in five different farms on which he keeps large herds of cattle and other stock.

Mr. Fuhlhage was not married when he came to Kansas, and for two years after his arrival he kept bachelor's hall. On the 28th of June, 1869, he wedded Bertha Pribbernow, a niece of the late Christian Pribbernow, of Owl Creek township. Both of her parents died in Germany. Her mother bore the maiden name of Bertha Buz, whose eight children grew to maturity but only three are now living, one brother of Mrs. Fuhlhage's, Charles Pribbernow, being a resident of Wisconsin. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fuhlhage: Wilhelmina, wife of J. W. H. Pyke, of Yates Center; August, who married Myrta Doebert and is living in Woodson County; Charles, who died at the age of fifteen years; Henry, Emma, Frank, Emil and Clara, all of whom are at home, and two who have departed this life.

Mr. Fuhlhage is a Republican and cast his first presidential vote for Grant in 1868. He served for four years as justice of the peace, and for twenty years has been a member of the school board. The cause of education has found in him a warm friend, the cause of justice an able exponent, and in all life's relation he commands confidence and respect by his fidelity to duty.

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