Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 386 - 386 

CHRISTIAN FATE. The name of this gentleman is well and favorably known throughout Wichita, where he is prosperously engaged in the tailoring business. He is of German ancestry, his father, a druggist by profession, having emigrated from Germany in 1833, and settled in Manheim, Lancaster Co., Pa. He married Miss Catherine Hoff, who came from an old and worthy family. They were Mennonites and came to Pennsylvania many years ago to escape from religious persecution. Mr. Fate died shortly after marriage, and before the birth of their only child, the subject of this notice. He was an educated man, and papers which came from Germany, and are still in possession of his son, attest his worth and the esteem in which he was held in his native country. He was Captain of the hunters, and had accumulated considerable property, leaving his widow in comfortable circumstances. His son has many relics which he holds sacred, among them being the medicine scale and implements, and also a fine double-barreled rifle of excellent workmanship which his father used. Mr. Fate's father, the grandfather of our subject, held an office under the King of Wurtemberg, and the family was one of prominence and importance, belonging to what is termed in that country the "upper class." 

            Christian Fate, subject of this sketch, was born at Manheim, March 28, 1835. He received a common-school education, and at the age of fourteen years commenced to learn the tailor's trade, at which he worked until 1865, when he engaged in the sewing-machine business. In 1856 Mr. Fate took a most important step in life, being then united in marriage with Miss Anna Mellinger, of Manheim (for parental history see sketch of David H. Mellinger. The mother of Mrs. Fate belonged to an old Pennsylvanian family, and is connected by marriage with many of the present families of that State, among whose members are some of the wealthiest and most intelligent people in the country. 

            Mr. Fate remained a resident of his native State until 1885, when, at the urgent solicitation of Mrs. Fate's brother, D. H. Mellinger, he left his pleasant home in Lancaster, Pa., and with his wife removed to Wichita. They at once assumed the position in society for which they are well qualified by education, integrity, and sterling worth. They are industrious, economical people, who have acquired some property, and stand high in the estimation of other residents of the community. Socially our subject is a Mason, and a member of the Blue Lodge, Royal Arch, Chapter K. T., and Goodwin Council of Royal Super, Excellent and Select Masters. Mrs. Fate is a worthy member of the Church of God.

[ Home ]