From A Biographical History of Central Kansas, Vol. I, p. 99
published by The Lewis Publishing Co, Chicago & New York, 1902 

WILLIAM VOLKLAND 

   As a representative of that class of substantial builders of a great commonwealth who served faithfully and long in the enterprising west, we present the subject of this sketch, who is a pioneer of central Kansas and who has nobly done his duty in establishing and maintaining the material interests, legal status and moral welfare of his community.  Whatever tends to benefit his state and promote the welfare of his community is sure to elicit his interest and co-operation, and thus his name is inseparably interwoven with the history of Rice county during the past twenty-three years.

   Mr Volkland was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, September 27, 1864, a son of William Volkland, who was born in Weimar, Germany, where he was reared and educated.  There he learned the carpenter’s trade and for one year he served in the German army.  In 1848 he came to the United States and was here married to Pauline Roehr, who also was a native of Weimar, Germany.  For a number of years the father engaged in contracting and building in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and afterward came to Rice county, being identified with the agricultural interests of Farmer township until his death, which occurred in 1888, when he was sixty-three years of age.  He was honored and respected for his integrity and upright life and to his family he left the priceless heritage of an untarnished name.  His widow still resides in Farmer township.  In his political views he was a Republican, unswerving in his advocacy of the principles of the party, and in religious belief he was a Methodist, his wife being also a member of the same church.  They had seven children, and those living are:  Mrs Ottilla Stehwien, of Bushton; William; and Albert, postmaster of Bushton and the partner of William in the hardware business.  He is one of the well known and leading business men of the town.  He was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, February 15, 1867, and acquired his education there and in Kansas.  He married Matilda Korf, of Bushton, who was born in Illinois, a daughter of Frederick Korf, deceased.  Her mother, however, is still living.  Unto Albert Volkland and his wife have been born four children:  Nettie A P; Otto F W; Oscar and Mabel.  In his political views the father is a Republican and his religious faith is identified with the Methodist church.  His prominence in business circles in Bushton is widely acknowledged and in his life he exemplifies the enterprising spirit of the west.

   William Volkland, whose name introduces this review, spent his youth in his native state, and by improving the educational advantages afforded by the public schools there he became a well informed man, well fitted for the practical and responsible duties of life.  In 1878 he accompanied his parents to central Kansas and here became familiar with farm work through actual experience in the labors of field and meadow upon his father’s farm.  In 1888 he became a factor in the business interests of Bushton by establishing a hardware store, which he still conducts in connection with his brother Albert.  They have a fine store, occupying a building twenty-four by ninety feet.  Their stock is extensive, embracing a large line of heavy and shelf hardware, and their patronage is continually increasing, owing to their reliable business methods, their earnest efforts to please their patrons and the moderate prices which they ask for their goods, desiring only to make a fair and legitimate profit.

   Mr Volkland is also president of the Bushton State Bank, one of the solid financial institutions of this part of the state, designated as the county depository of Rice county.  A fine bank building has recently been erected, twenty-four by forty-eight feet.  It is suitably and tastefully furnished and everything is in excellent condition for carrying on the enterprise.  They conduct a general banking business, buy and sell exchange, pay interest on deposits and, in fact, conduct a banking business which is profitable and worthy of patronage.  The officers are popular and reliable business men, namely:  William Volkland, president; William Schmidt, vice-president; George F Hauser, cashier; and George Cramm, Frank Shonyo, William Schmidt and William Volkland, directors.

   When twenty-five years of age Mr Volkland was married to Miss Sophia Roehr, of Bushton, a daughter of Fred Roehr, deceased.  They now have six children, two sons and four daughters:  Ella Viola; William F; Maud G; Florence; Pauline Selma and Paul Albert.  Mr Volkland exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party and labors earnestly and effectively in its behalf, but he is not a politician in the sense of seeking public office.  He and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and he is filling the position of trustee of the church.  For thirteen years he has been closely identified with the history of Bushton as a representative of most important business interests.  He is a man of keen discrimination and sound judgment, and his executive ability and excellent management have brought to the concerns with which he is connected a large degree of success.