Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 778 - 779 

JOHN OGDEN, of Wichita, comes of substantial English and German ancestry. He combines in his makeup the elements which constitute him an honest man and a good citizen, prompt to meet his obligations, and straightforward in his business transactions.

            Thomas Ogden, the father of our subject, a native of England, left his native Isle when a young man, and after a prosperous ocean voyage made his way to Dayton, Ohio, where he took up his residence. There not very long afterward he was married to Miss Anna Holver-Stock, who was of German descent, and by whom he became the father of four children, namely: Thomas, Edward, Martha and John R. The father was a carpenter and cabinetmaker by trade, which business he pursued in the Buckeye State until about 1836. Then with his family he started for the West, and located in Columbus City, Iowa, where he resided until his death, which occurred while he was a young man only thirty-two years of age.

            The subject of this biography, who first opened his eyes to the light May 7, 1845, was born in Dayton, Ohio, to which place his mother returned in 1845, about three months after the death of her husband. Subsequently, however, she moved back to Iowa. John R. became familiar with farm life during his boyhood and youth, and when twenty-nine years old was married to Miss Mary A. Bechtel, who was born July 9, 1854, in Indiana, and is the daughter of John and Frances (Giler) Bechtel, who were natives of Germany, and are now natives of Kansas.

            Our subject and his wife began life together in a modest home in Louisa County, Iowa, where Mr. O. carried on farming until 1876. He then came to this State, and located first in Barton County upon a tract of land, which he occupied until 1882. That year he sold out, and coming to Wichita commenced the business in which he has since been eminently successful. He owns a snug home on Wichita street, and is thoroughly respected by all who know him. His children, nine in number, were named respectively: Alfred R.; Emma, who died in infancy; John E.; Nevada, who also died in earliest childhood; Frank, Maggie, Charles A., Katie and Clara May.

            Mr. and Mrs. Ogden belong to the Seventh-Day Adventists, are devout Christians, and take a deep interest in the welfare of their church. Our subject materially assisted in the erection of the church edifice which stands near his own home, and of which he was one of the building committee. Their children are being carefully trained to habits of industry, and those principles which will make of them good citizens like their parents. They form a bright and interesting family group, and with their parents, have many friends.

            John Bechtel, the father of Mrs. Ogden, was born in Germany, which he left when but a lad, emigrating to America with his father. The latter settled on a farm in Ripley County, Ind. The mother was also of German birth and parentage, and came with her father's family to this country when a young girl ten years of age. After her marriage she and her husband continued residents of Ripley County, Ind., for a number of years, in which place Mrs. Ogden spent the opening years of her life. In 1855 the family crossed the Mississippi into Louisa County, Iowa, and were among the pioneer settlers of that region. Mr. Bechtel did good service in subduing a goodly portion of the uncultivated soil, and is still living in Barton County, being now about sixty years of age. The parental household included six children, namely: Mary, Margaret, Catherine, Frank, Arthur and George, all living. The mother still survives.

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