Families

Was born on April 21, 1829, at Koenigsburg, Prussia, coming to America and to Kansas in September, 1860, locating on the farm where lie has since made his home. For years the Templin settlement was on the, border in its truest sense. It was but a few miles to the Kaw reserve and that tribe being engaged in constant warfare with the Pawnees, Cheyennes, and Arapahoes the settlers lived in a state of apprehension by reason of possible raids from either the Kaws or the more hostile and aggressive tribes of the plains. The old stone fort (see page 113) was built in anticipation of one of these possible raids. Inasmuch as a war party of Cheyennes appeared in sight of Council Grove as late as 1868 it will be readily seen that the fears of the set-tlers about Templin were not entirely groundless. During the sum-mer of that year while Mr. Adolph Zeckser was on a visit with friends at Templin he was surprised to find the Arndt home deserted. The doors were wide open but nobody at home. Nobody at home at Fet-tings. But going to the Wolgast home the mystery was explained. The settlers had gathered together for protection from an expected raid. The men were all moulding bullets and the women were there to assist in case they could be of service. The old stone fort was still standing and here the settlers repaired when night came. The storm blew over but the Kaws at the Grove didn't get off without a fight. At the Grove, too, the Women and children were bustled into the Mission building for protection. Three years later the smallpox left a trail of death in the Templin settlement, invading among other homes that of Mr. Arndt.

In the years gone by Rudolph's influence was always sought in the heat of political campaigns. Though never seeking office himself he was always ready to lend a helping hand to his friends. He is a man, of influence with his neighbors, warm-harted by nature and is ever anxious to welcome a friend beneath his hospitable roof.