Sedgwick County KSGenWeb
Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.
Chapman Brothers 1888
Pages 694 - 695
WILLIAM A. POLK, one of the most prosperous business men of Wichita, and numbered among its liberal-minded and public-spirited citizens, has for some years been engaged in the real-estate business, in which he has achieved an enviable reputation. He crossed the Mississippi in the spring of 1871, and took up a claim of 160 acres two years later in Viola Township, this county, which he improved, and from it opened up one of the most beautiful homesteads of this section. He brought ninety acres to a good state of cultivation, put up a neat and substantial residence, set out fruit and shade trees, and in this manner rendered the property quite valuable. He only remained upon it three years, however, then coming into Wichita engaged first in the ice business, to which he subsequently added beer, and thus operated until the spring of 1887. Since that time he has been engaged in the buying and selling of real estate, and aside from the farm already spoken of has a half-interest in a quarter-section six miles north of the city, and a like amount in the southwest part of the county. He put up, in 1885, a fine brick block on Douglas avenue, and has other ground within the corporation which he probably will, in due time, embellish in a like manner. He commenced in a modest manner upon coming to this part of the country, his first occupation being as bar-tender for his father, and in 1872 opened a saloon for himself, which he operated eight months, then abandoned and turned his attention to his real-estate interests.
Our subject was born in St. Louis, Mo., Sept. 22, 1851, and is the son of William M. and Jennette (McKechnie) Polk, natives respectively of Kentucky and Scotland. William M. Polk possessed business qualities of no ordinary character, and is now living retired upon a competency at his pleasant home in Wichita, and is seventy-seven years of age. The mother died in St. Louis when quite a young woman, in 1853, and when her son William was scarcely more than an infant. The parental household included eight children, of whom five are living and four residents of Kansas.
The younger years of Mr. Polk were spent on a farm, and when twenty-two years of age he was married to Miss Mary Smarsh, the wedding being celebrated at the home of the groom, Sept. 17, 1873. Mrs. Polk is the daughter of Vincent A. and Mary A. Smarsh, natives of Europe. They came to Pennsylvania in 1854, and thence a few years later took up their abode in Tennessee, thence came to this county, settling in Union Township in 1871. Mr. Smarsh took up a quarter-section of land, and carried on farming until resting from his earthly labors. His death took place in 1882. Five children of the family are now living, and residents of Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. P. have no children. Our subject votes the straight Democratic ticket, and takes a lively interest in the growth and development of his adopted county. He is in the enjoyment of a handsome income, and contributes liberally to the various enterprises tending to the public welfare.[ Home ]
|
