Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Page 746 

SEBASTIAN G. BLUMENSHINE, an intelligent and energetic farmer and stock-raiser, residing in Ohio Township, makes his home on section 19. He is a native of Tazewell County, Ill., and was born June 17, 1843. His parents, William and Elizabeth (Knell) Blumenshine, were born in Alsace, then a portion of France, but now a part of the German Empire, who had emigrated to America and settled in Tazewell County, Ill., where his father died, and where his mother is still living. He was one of a family of eleven children born to his parents, seven of whom are living, viz: John, a resident of Woodford County, Ill.; Philip, living in the same county; Margaret, wife of William Kiel, living in Tazewell County; Elizabeth, Mrs. Conrad Himmel, who is living in Mason County, Ill.; Sebastian G., the subject of our sketch; Catharine, the wife of William Wehrle, and William, who is living in Tazewell County.

             The parents of the gentleman of whom we write were among the early settlers of that portion of Illinois where they located, and, like all pioneers, had to undergo the usual hardships incident to frontier life. In the county of his birth Sebastian received his education in his boyhood at the village schools, and assisted his father in the labors of the farm on attaining more mature years. In December, 1863, he enlisted as a private in Company K, 85th Illinois Infantry, and was, about two months before his discharge, transferred to the 16th Illinois Infantry. The company to which he was attached in the first-named regiment, having all been sharpshooters, he saw some very active service, and participated in all the battles of the Atlanta campaign, and in Sherman's grand march to the sea, which terminated with the grand review in Washington. He was honorably discharged from the United States service in June, 1865, when he returned to Illinois, and again assumed agricultural pursuits.

             October 10, 1867, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Rosanna Horn. By this marriage there have been born a family of eight children, whose names are as follows: William H., Edward B., Matilda E., Albert G., Alain, Caroline, Walter and Lottie. He is a member of the German Evangelical Church, and a most consistent and upright Christian man, carrying his religion into the everyday walks of life, and merits and receives the respect and honor of the people of his vicinity.

             In 1878, our subject being in search of a locality where he could expand his efforts, have more land and that of a more fertile nature, and enjoy a more salubrious climate than Illinois could offer him, came to Kansas. He settled at first in Rockford Township, this county, where he made his home with his family until the spring of 1882, when he removed to his present farm in Ohio Township on section 19. He is the owner of 320 acres of good arable land, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation and tillage, and which is exceedingly well improved. The buildings upon the place, both the residence and the out-buildings, are of a substantial and handsome character, so characteristic of the people of this locality, and it is chiefly owing to his own industry and good management that he is the possessor of such a fine property. In politics, he is a Republican, and is in favor of any movement which is for the benefit of the community or calculated to elevate the tone of society in general. By his neighbors he is classed among the leading agriculturists of this section of Sedgwick County.

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