Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 273  

WILLIAM KLOFKORN, a prosperous German farmer of Salem Township, and a representative citizen, respected alike for his industry and integrity, may be properly placed in the list of self-made men who have done so much toward developing the resources of Southern Kansas. He was born in Carlsdorf, in the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, on the 30th of March, 1847, and crossed the Atlantic in 1873, after a prosperous voyage of twelve to fifteen days on an ocean steamer. He spent about ten weeks in the State of Michigan, then went eastward to Indiana, and was a resident of Elkhart three years, being employed as a section hand on the railroad. From there, in 1877, he came to this county, where he has since remained. 

     Mr. Klofkorn was entirely dependent upon his own resources, having very little money when he landed upon American soil, and was prepared to engage in any honest labor which his hands could find to do. For three years after landing in this country he was engaged as a farm laborer at $20 per month during the summer season and $18 in the winter. With true German thrift and prudence he not only lived within his income, but managed to save each year something from his earnings, and at the expiration of the time mentioned settled on a tract of rented land which he operated two years and was then enabled to secure possession of his present farm. 

     The homestead of our subject includes 149 1/2 acres of land, which he has brought to a good state of cultivation and where, in addition to general farming, he is raising good grades of live stock, including horses, cattle and swine. While a resident of Michigan Mr. K. was married, on the 6th of February, 1879, to Miss Sophia Froh, who is a native of Michigan, and was born in the little city of Sturgis, July 27, 1860. They are now the parents of six children, of whom the record is as follows: Louis was born Dec. 17, 1879; Otto, Jan. 21, 1881; Henry, Sept. 9, 1882; Martin, April 29, 1884; Adaline, July 13, 1885, and Minnie, April 19, 1887. 

     The parents of our subject, Vulrod and Mary (Adam) Klofkorn, were also of German birth and parentage. Their family included five children, namely: Frederick, William, Lizzie, Charles and Lena. Mrs. Klofkorn is the daughter of Christian and Minnie (Schulz) Froh, natives of Germany and residents of Burr Oak, Mich. They were the parents of nine children, of whom but six are living, namely: Sophia, Charles, William, Lizzie, Albert and Christian, mostly residents of Michigan. Fred, Caroline and Herman are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. K. are members in good standing of the Lutheran Church in Salem Township, and our subject, politically, votes independently, aiming to support the man whom he considers best qualified for the office.

[ Home ]