Eugene Lallier

EUGENE LALLIER was for nearly fifty years a leading and influential citizen of Kansas, having maintained his home in Wyandotte county from 1871 until his demise, in 1906. He was a gardner and agriculturist by occupation, his splendid estate of over three hundred acres being located some four miles distant from Piper, Kansas. His cooperation in public interests and his zealous support of all objects that he believed would contribute to the material, social or moral improvement of the community kept him in the foremost ranks of those to whom the county owes its development and present position as one of the leading sections of the progressive state of Kansas. His life was characterized by upright, honorable principles and it also exemplified the truth of the Emersonian philosophy that "the way to win a friend is to be one." His genial, kindly manner won him the high regard and good will of all with whom he came in contact and thus his death was uniformly mourned throughout his home community and the neighboring district.

A native of the city of Montiour, France, Eugene Lallier was born on the 2d of April, 1832, a son of Louis and Marie Lallier, both of whom were likewise born in France. Mr. Lallier, of this notice, was reared to the age of twenty years in Paris, to whose excellent schools he was indebted for his educational training. As a youth he became interested in gardening, to which line of enterprise he continued to devote the major portion of his time and attention during the greater part of his active career. In 1852 he decided to seek his fortune in the New World and accordingly, with a number of his relatives, immigrated to the United States. After disembarking in New York City he proceeded to Wisconsin, where he immediately became interested in gardening. In 1858 he and his family removed to Kansas, locating in Leavenworth county, where the family home was maintained until 1871. In that year removal was made to Wyandotte county, this state, where he was engaged in farming operations until his death.

Eugene Lallier was united in marriage, March 25, 1852, to Miss Elizabeth Bouley, who was born May 21, 1831, and reared in France and who is now living with her children on the old Lallier estate, This union was prolific of seven children, whose names are here recorded in respective order of birth: Eugene, Louis, Louise, Mary, Frank, Ernest and Emil. Frank, Ernest and Louise remain oh the homestead with their mother, managing and working the same. The Lallier estate, known as "the Bluff Stock Farm," is comprised of three hundred and thirty-six acres of most arable land and it is devoted to diversified agriculture and the growing of high-grade cattle. None of the sons above named are married and they are affiliated with the time-honored Masonic order and with the Modern Woodmen of America. They are also valued and appreciative members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Frank Lallier was road overseer in Prairie township, this county, for one term. In politics they are stanch advocates of the cause of the Republican party and they are ever ready to do all in their power to advance the best interests of their home community.

Eugene Lallier was a man of thrift and industry and one who won success through his own persistency and well directed endeavors. He accorded a stanch allegiance to the principles and policies of the Republican party in his political convictions, and while he never manifested aught of ambition for the honors or emoluments of public office of any description he gave freely of his aid and influence to all projects advanced for the good of the general welfare. He was affiliated with a number of fraternal and social organizations of representative character and his religious faith was in harmony with the teachings of the Catholic church. He was called to the Great Beyond in the 15th of April, 1906, and at the time of his death was uniformly mourned by a wide circle of affectionate relatives and friends. As a result of his exalted character and exemplary life he was accorded the high regard and unalloyed confidence of his fellow citizens in every station.