From A Biographical History of Central Kansas, Vol. II, p. 1154
published by The Lewis Publishing Co, Chicago & New York, 1902

Nicholas Guldner

There is no family more prominent or honored in central Kansas than the one to which our subject belongs.  It is seldom that six brothers remain in one locality through so long a period as have the Guldner brothers, who for almost twenty-five years have been representatives of the farming and milling interests in this part of the state.  He whose name initiates this paragraph is the second son of John Guldner, and was born in 1853, in Erie, Pennsylvania, whence his parents removed to Davenport, Iowa, when he was six years of age.  The schools of that city afforded him his educational privileges, and under his father’s supervision he began earning his own livelihood in a sawmill of which his father was foreman, sawing lumber, shingles and lath.  He soon realized that close application, energy and straightforward dealing were the chief elements in success, and they have formed the basis of his business career since.

Mr. Guldner was married in 1876, at the age of twenty-three years, to Mary Shupp, who was born in Illinois, but who spent her girlhood days in Iowa and was there educated.  She has been an able assistant to her husband throughout the period of their married life, and their home has been blessed with four daughters: Rozalia is the wife of Edward Bell, and their home is upon one of her father’s farms; Elizabeth is the wife of Rev O L Lewis, a Methodist clergyman, and they also live upon one of Mr. Guldner’s farms; and Luella and Ida, both remain at the parental home.  They also lost one son, John, who died at the age of sixteen months.

It was in 1878 that Mr. Guldner and his little family came to Rice County and located upon one hundred and sixty acres of land which he had previously purchased.  He began farming on a small scale and also assisted in the operation of the grist mill which the father erected and which eventually represented one of the leading and important industries of central Kansas.  As the years passed and labor brought to him success, Nicholas Guldner added to his landed possessions, making judicious investments in property until he now owns seven hundred and twenty acres of valuable farming land, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation and well improved.  He has two hundred acres planted in wheat in addition to the large tracts which he rents.  An orchard of five acres has been set out by him and is now in good bearing condition.  A grove also added to the beauty of the place, and a commodious residence, erected at a cost of fourteen hundred dollars, is the hospitable home of the family.

His estimable wife, who has been an efficient assistant to him in his work, carefully and prudently managing the household affairs while he has superintended his farming interests, is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church.  In his political views Mr. Guldner is a Democrat, but while he votes with the party, thus expressing his belief in its principles, he has had neither time nor inclination to seek public office.  He is a member of Camp No. 1712, Modern Woodmen of America, of which he is one of the board of managers at the present time.  He is a man of broad and progressive views and one in whom every movement intended for the general good finds a warm and helpful friend, while his cordial spirit and friendly disposition have gained him friends, for, as Emerson says, “The way to win a friend is to be one."