 |
Chase County Kansas Historical
Sketches
|
Fink, Kasimir John Kasimir John Fink, a 28 year old yodeling, German immigrant, came to Chase County from the California Gold fields in 1858 with five silk top hats and not much else. He was an intelligent and educated man, and immaculate in dress. A cabin was built along the flow of Diamond Creek.
Medora Hegwar, daughter of Carl Benjamin and Mary Hegwar, also Chase County immigrants to the Hymer vicinity, was Kasimir's sweetheart. She refused to marry him because his cabin had a dirt floor. So Kasimir bought a load of lumber at Council Grove, a marriage license and soon returned to the cabin, with his bride atop her future oak floor.
Kasimir served as a soldier in Uncle Sam's Army when he went to fight in the Civil War, while Medora and their two sons, Ernst and Ed, existed on the farm. Kasimir was discharged in August of 1865. Medora and Kasimir had three more sons, Henry, Walter, and Louis.
Later a large stone house was built on the farm, using stone quarried by Kasimir and his sons on their farm. They also cut black walnut and burr oak for use in the construction of the house, which took several years. The house was completed in 1881 and a flagstone walk was laid from the door to the road and lilacs were planted on both sides of the walk. The scene was lovely and the fragrance from the flowers delightful.
Kasimir was a successful farmer and stock-raiser for 50 years and he is one of many who blazed the way in Chase County. Jim Fink and family are the only descendants of Kasimir that remain in Chase County.
Chase County Leader News, Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, Nov. 20, 2003
by Lorna Marvin.
Please submit your historical sketches.
Background and KSGenWeb logo were designed and are copyrighted by
Tom & Carolyn Ward
for the limited use of the KSGenWeb Project.
Permission is granted for use only on an official KSGenWeb page.
The USGenWeb Logo was designed by Linda Cole.
 |
|