This is a collection of short biographical sketches submitted by individuals with a link to the Researcher. You are invited to send appropriate sketches of early Atchison County residents for inclusion on this page

JOSEPH TROMPETER

When Joseph Trompeter departed this life Effingham lost one of its best and most highly respected citizens and his family suffered the loss of a kind and industrious husband and father, whose sole ambition in life was to provide well for is kindred and those dependent upon him for a livelihood, and to accomplish his purpose in the most honorable and upright manner possible. To him fell the task of erecting the first county high school building in Effingham and many of the most pretentious dwellings of the city were built by him. He was one of the widely known and successful contractors of the county, whose operations extended over a wide stretch of territory and whose work was always strictly up to a certain high standard and honestly performed.

Mr. Trompeter was born June 15, 1857 in Prussia, Germany and when ten years of age he accompanied his parents to America. His father was Maurice Trompeter who settled on a farm in Illinois and who went from Illinois to Texas, but after a short resident in that state returned to Illinois where he passed the remainder of his days. Joseph was reared to young manhood in Illinois and there married Hannah SOWERS. He also went to Texas and removed from there to Horton, KS. His father before him was a carpenter and Joseph learned his trade and followed it, becoming a contractor and builder when a young man. He erected several court houses in Texas and build several school buildings and church edifices in Kansas. His first wife died in Horton, KS, eight children being born to this union of whom two are living namely: Mrs. Tina DEMMER of Effingham, KS; Mrs. Bertha WALLACE, also residing in Effingham. Mr. Trompeter removed to Effingham and at once engaged in building and contracting on an extensive scale. He erected all the buildings on the main street of the town on the north side of the street, running from the Farmers and Merchants Bank building to the newspaper office at the end of the block. He also built the greater part o f the finer residences in Effingham and it is due to his handiwork and taste that the city presents such an attractive appearance to the visitor. In the spring of 1912 he and the family moved to his farm of 160 acres southeast of Effingham on which, with his own hands Mr. Trompeter erected a handsome farm dwelling and fitted it with all modern improvements, adding an attractive barn at the same time. He did not live to enjoy the comforts of his new home long, however, as illness brought on by overwork, caused him to take to his bed and his demise occurred August 19, 1915.

His second marriage was with Louise RICHTER, on November 8 1892 at Effingham. Four children were born of this marriage, namely: Amelia, John, James and Mary, all of whom are at home with their mother Mrs. Trompeter was born in Austria, in 1874, a daughter of John, born September 2, 1852 and Amelia (WOHLETZ) Richter, born May 31 1849. The Richters are of German birth and immigrated to America in 1882, first residing in Atchison and then coming to Effingham. For twenty-eight years Mr. Richter was employed in railroad work on the Central Branch of the Missouri Pacific Railroad. Mr and Mrs. Richter now make their home with their daughter, Mrs. Trompeter, and assist in the farming operations. The Richter children are as follows: Mrs. Joseph Trompeter; Domineck, conducting a meat market in Effingham; Leapold, living at Tacoma, WA, also a builder and contractor; Mrs. Amelia HANSEN, residing in Texas; Mrs. Anna ROYER, Tacoma, WA. There are eleven grandchildren in the Richter family.

Mr. Trompeter was affiliated with the Democratic party, but was never a seeker after political preferment. He was a member of the Catholic Church, and was fraternally connected with the Knights of Columbus and the Modern Woodmen. Throughout his life he was an industrious and hardworking citizen who did his duty as he saw it and lived an upright and honest life. He was prominently identified with the civic life of Effingham and was highly respected for his many excellent qualities.

Taken from:

History of Atchison County, Kansas

by Sheffield Ingalls - 1916

Submitted by:

Clemi Higley Blackburn, July 2001

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