Henry F. Woestemeyer

HENRY F. WOESTEMEYER. - If we were to pick out the one characteristic which has done more than anything else to make of the United States the leading commercial country that it now is we should mention enterprise. If we were to pick out the one man in Bethel, Kansas, who has this characteristic to a remarkable extent, we should mention Henry F. Woestemeyer, the prominent merchant. By enterprise we mean the ability to hustle, to make things go, to bring things to pass that a less capable man would deem impossible.

Henry F. Woestemeyer was born in Marthasville, Missouri, July 5, 1873. He was the son of Fred C. and Wilhelmina (Oberhelman) Woestemeyer, natives of Missouri. They came to Quindaro township in December, 1886.

Henry was educated in the public schools of Kansas City, whither he had come with his parents when he was a small boy. After he had finished the public school course he entered a commercial college and took a business course. In March, 1898, he entered mercantile life at Bethel, where he has built up a very prosperous business.

On June 14, 1899, he was married to Clara Belle Hendrickson, the daughter of James F. and Mary (Cooley) Hendrickson, the father a native of Kentucky, the mother of Ohio. Mrs. Woestemeyer was born at Larned, Kansas, February 13, 1878, and she is a graduate of the class of 1897 of the Kansas City, Kansas, high school. Three children were born to this union, Henry James, born May 10, 1901; F. Shirley, born January 21, 1904; and Ina Fay, born April 14, 1906.

Mr. Woestemeyer is a Republican and has done good work for his party. In 1894 he was elected clerk of Quindaro township, in which capacity he served two years. He was later elected justice of the peace, serving one term. He is a member of the Masonic Order, holding membership in Blue Lodge, No. 96, of White Church. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 88, in which organization he has passed all of the chairs. He has high standing in both of these fraternal orders, indeed he is universally liked and respected by all who know him in his official capacity, in his business relations and in his social life.