Jacob Kehl, a pioneer settler in this county, and one of our best known citizens, died at his home in this city at 9:15 o'clock p.m. on Thursday of last week, July 19, 1923, after an illness of about three weeks duration. Several months ago he suffered an attack of bronchitis, which left him in a somewhat weakened condition, from which he never recovered, although he went about his duties as mail carrier on the Coy route. He was compelled to quit work about three weeks ago, however, because of an attack of erysipelas. He had partially recovered therefrom when complications set in and he began to grow weaker and his condition more serious. The immediate cause of his death was given as asthma of the heart.

Funeral services were conducted from the Presbyterian church in this city at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday and were in charge of the pastor, Rev. A. Frank Johnson. The church was well filled, people coming from all parts of the county to pay their last respects to their friend of many years. A quartet composed of H. A. Replogle, George Peters, Mrs. E. E. Pounds and Mrs. H. A. Replogle, with Miss Lightner at the pipe organ, furnished excellent music. The K. of P. lodge attended as a body. The entire services were very impressive. Burial was in Crown Hill cemetery.

Mr. Kehl was a pioneer settler in this part of the state having come to this county over 40 years ago and having had a prominent part in building up the ranch interest of the county. For a number of years he operated a large ranch a few miles east of Wilmore. About 18 years ago he moved to this city and engaged in the livery, feed and sale business, a business which his son, Guy, finally purchased and which was eventually merged by him into the Albert Pike Garage.

It was thus that Jacob Kehl became so closely allied with the growth of the town and county and formed such extensive acquaintances. Probably no other man in the county had a wider acquaintance over this and adjoining counties than he did.

All who knew Jacob Kehl as he really was honored and respected him. In all his business relations he was honest and dependable. He was true to his friends, generous, kind hearted and hospitable, thus winning a large circle of friends. He will be greatly missed in our community. Many people will remember his deeds of kindness to them and his unfailing devotion to whatever duty he felt was his.

Jacob Kehl was a native of Germany, having been born in Baden, that country, on October 8, 1860. His age at the time of his death was 62 years, 9 months and 11 days. When he was but 5 years of age he came with his parents to America. The family settled in MaCoupin-co., Illinois, and later moved to Clark-co., Missouri. From there they went to Florence, Ala., where they lived for a few years.

At the age of 14, young Kehl started out for himself, coming westward and locating for a time in Springfield, Mo., and later in Kinsley and in Dodge City, in this state. He was without money, except as he earned it, but his industry and perseverance made it easy for him to be kept busy at some kind of work. If there was nothing to do, he devoted his time to blacking shoes. Work on the range, however, had the greatest allurement for him. He wandered out to Colorado, near Trinidad, and there got some real experience as a cowboy.

In the early 80's (1880's) Mr. Kehl came to the then unorganized and unsettled county of Comanche, and here began a long career of ranch experience, becoming one of the leading ranch men of the county. He was a good judge of livestock and had some dealing with nearly everybody in the county.

On January 1, 1885, in Warsaw, Ill., he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Feuhlin. To this union three children were born, two of whom - Guy H. Kehl of this city and Mrs. Maude M. Noll of Baxter Springs, Kans., - survive. Mrs. Anna Kehl died on August 18, 1906.

On November 29, 1911, Mr. Kehl was united in marriage with Lillie A. Forman, who survives him. He is also survived by son Guy, his daughter, Mrs. Noll, one step-son, Frank C. Foreman, and by two brothers and one sister. The two brothers are Joe and Fred Kehl of Kinsley, Kans. The sister is Mrs. Lena A. Hardlinger, of Warsaw, Illinois. The sympathy of the entire community goes out to the bereaved relatives.

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Also see:

Jess White: A few Reminiscences of Pioneer Life in Comanche-co.; Life on a Ranch in Comanche-co.
The Western Star, March 4, 1922.

More Accounts of Pioneer Days in Comanche County, Kansas

Fire Damages Old St. Nicholas Hotel
The Western Star, March 18, 1921.

Helen M. (Hollenbeck) Baker, died at the home of Jacob Kehl, 1891.

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Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!