From A Biographical History of Central
Kansas, Vol. II, p. 1153
published by The Lewis Publishing Co, Chicago & New York, 1902
George Guldner
George Guldner resides on section 9, Eureka township, Rice County, and is one of the successful and prominent men in this part of the state. He is the eldest son of John Guldner, his birth occurring in Erie, Pennsylvania, October 31, 1851. There the first eight years of his life were passed, after which he accompanied his parents to the west and soon became imbued with the western spirit of enterprise and progress. The family located in Davenport, Iowa, where he attended the public schools and later entered upon his business career as an employe in the extensive sawmill in which his father was serving as foreman. Subsequently he was in the lumber mill with him, and progressed from one position to another as his capability and years won him advancement.
The year 1879 witnessed the arrival of George Guldner in Rice County. Here he settled on raw land obtained from the government, built a house of three rooms and then began the development of what has since become one of the finest farms in his township. He has since replaced the primitive home with an attractive residence, which was erected at a cost of eleven hundred dollars. It stands upon a natural building site and is tastefully and comfortably furnished. His large barn is thirty-six by fifty feet in dimensions, and his granary twenty-four by thirty-six feet. Other substantial buildings add to the value of the place, and a grove and an orchard of five acres are among its leading features. Its boundaries have also been extended until the place now comprises five hundred and sixty acres of valuable land.
On the 15th of May, 1877, in Davenport, Iowa, George Guldner was married to Miss Mary Demmerle, who was born, reared and educated in Erie, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Jacob and Mary Ann (Shidy) Demmerle, who were natives of Germany. Her father died when she was a small girl, leaving to the mother’s care five children, of whom Mrs. Guldner was the eldest, the others being William, Katie, Jacob and Barbara, but the last named died at the age of seventeen years. The mother afterward married a Mr. Shall, and is now living in Erie, Pennsylvania. By her second marriage she had one daughter, Mrs. Ada M Seabrook. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Guldner have been born three children: Ada May; Harry Jacob, who was educated in Sterling College; and Roy Clarence. They also lost one child in infancy, named Anna May.
In his political views Mr. Guldner is a stalwart Republican, and for a number of years he has served on the school board. Socially he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Neighbors, and his wife is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In manner he is frank and genial, is broad-minded and has the welfare of the community deeply at heart. He is proud of his adopted state and what is has accomplished in the last quarter of a century, and he has contributed in full measure to its upbuilding and advancement.