J. O. Bookter

J. O. BOOKTER, a well known farmer of Elm Grove township, Labette county, Kansas, residing in section 35, township 34, range 19, is a native of Germany, and was born in 1840. He is a son of John Bookter, also a native of Germany. John Bookter died at the age of forty-nine years. He had eight children, namely: Catherine; William, deceased; George; Mary; Christina; Mattis; Barbara; and J. O.

J. O. Bookter was two years old when his parents came to America. They landed at New York, and went from there to Jefferson county, Wisconsin, where Mr. Bookter lived until he located in Kansas. He was but ten years old when his father died, and after that worked for six years in a hotel in order to support his mother. He subsequently worked in a sawmill for a period of nine years. Mr. Bookter enlisted, in 1862, in Company E, 4th Reg., Wis. Vol. Cavalry. He served until May 28, 1866, was engaged in scouting most of the time, and experienced many hardships. After the war, he returned to Wisconsin, where be worked for a lumber company for six years. In 1873, he removed to Labette county, and located in Elm Grove township, a half mile south of his present farm. In 1883, he bought his present farm in section 35, and has made many improvements on the place. He built a story and a half five-room house, which adds greatly to the appearance of the farm. Mr. Bookter carries on general farming, and is an energetic and thrifty worker. He has purchased a fine residence in Coffeyville, Kansas, which he will occupy in the future.

Mr. Bookter married Justina Rashler, who was born in Germany, in 1849. She came to the United States when she was fourteen years old. Mr. Bookter and his wife have reared four children, namely: William, a baker, in Coffeyville, Kansas; Maggie; Charlie; and John.

In politics, Mr. Bookter is a Republican. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. In religious attachments, he is a member of the German Lutheran church.