Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 211 - 212

JOSEPH MOSBACHER is one of the successful capitalists of the West, and is residing in Wichita.  He is a man of great capacity for business,, possesses keen judgment, and is enterprising.  He is a Bavarian by birth, and was born on the 11th of March, 1829.  His parents were William and Catherine (Rinehart) Mosbacher, natives of Germany.  His father was engaged in the culture of the grape and the manufacture of wine.  He and his wife were life-long residents of Bavaria, and to them were born eight children, four of whom are now living, namely: Elizabeth, Jacob, Joseph and August.  Elizabeth is Mrs. Schubert, and resides in Germany; Jacob, in Monroe County, Ill.; August is still a resident of Germany.

      Joseph, the subject of this sketch, grew to a strong and self-reliant manhood in his Bavarian home, and received a good education in its public schools.  At the age of sixteen he left the parental roof to learn the trade of a blacksmith, and continued in that calling for eleven years in his native land.  He finally determined to try life in the New World.  Prior to leaving the old country, however, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Heichemer, daughter of Henry and Catherine Heichemer, natives of Germany.  In 1854 he and his young wife left old friends and associations in the Fatherland and crossed the ocean to this country, where they hoped to establish a home and acquire an independence among these busy people.  They disembarked in New York, and from there went to Bradford County, Pa., where he worked for eight months at his trade in Towanda.  He then purchased half an acre of land eighteen miles from that place, paying therefor $10, and erected a smithy and established himself in business on his own account, which he carried on very prosperously the succeeding thirteen years.  In the meantime others came and purchased land near his, which became the nucleus of what is now a thriving little town called Overton.  After a while he abandoned the trade of blacksmith, and, purchasing a general stock, embarked in the mercantile business.  At the expiration of ten years he closed out his stock of goods and turned his attention to farming, and was actively engaged in that occupation until he came to Kansas.

      In 1883 Mr. Mosbacher made a trip to this State in order to invest in some land, and coming to this city, he was so pleased with its situation that he decided to purchase a valuable tract of seventy-five acres in the east part of Wichita.  He then returned to Pennsylvania and settled his business affairs in that State, and in November, 1885, came back with his family to make his permanent residence here.  In the wonderful and rapid development of the city since his visit to it in 1883, his property, owing to its fine location, has greatly increased in value, and he has platted fifteen acres as an addition to Wichita, known as the Mosbacher Addition.  His other investments in real estate have proved equally fortunate, and he has made a good deal of money by his speculations.  On his removal here he purchased a lot, No. 408 East Douglas avenue, on which he has erected one of the finest business buildings in the city; it was completed in 1887.  He has a house and four lots on Mosley avenue, and has erected on his own plat an elegant residence, replete with modern conveniences, and costing some $7,000, located at No. 206 North Hydraulic avenue.

      To Mr. and Mrs. Mosbacher have been born ten children, eight of whom are now living, namely: Charles, Mary, Henry, Phillip, Maggie, Joseph, Annie and William.  Charles is a jeweler in Wichita; he married Maud Packer, and they have one son, Carl.  Mary is now Mrs. Phelps, of Leadville, Col.

      Mrs. Mosbacher's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Heichemer, came to America  in 1860, and settled in Berks County, Pa.  They were the parents of eight children, five of whom are now living, namely: Elizabeth, Charles, Martin, Fred, and Maggie, Mrs. Melcher, of Berks County, Pa.

      Mr. and Mrs. Mosbacher have won the respect and confidence of those in the community with whom they have been associated since their residence in this city.  In politics he is identified with the Democratic party, giving his influence and vote to secure the passage of its measures and the election of its candidates.  He and his family are devoted members of the Catholic Church.

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