Frederick Bostelmann

FREDERICK BOSTELMANN, a well known and highly esteemed resident of Walton township, occupies a prominent place among the well-to-do farmers of Labette county, Kansas. He was born in Germany in 1844, and received his intellectual training in the schools of his native counfry. He followed farming during his early manhood, and in 1866, when twenty-two years of age, came to America. He landed at Baltimore, Maryland, and subsequently traveled inland as far as Ohio. Some time later he came west, to Iowa, where he remained for several years. In the fall of 1871 he located permanently upon the farm which is now his home. This farm comprises the northwest quarter of section 1, in Walton township, and is a tract of as finely cultivated land as can be found in the county. This land Mr. Bostelman has spent the past thirty years in cultivating and improving. He carries on general farming, and raises all sorts of grain, some stock, and various kinds of fruit.

Mr. Bostelmann frequently refers to incidents of his experience in getting to Kansas, which was then but sparsely settled. While living in Iowa he was an employee on the Rock Island Railroad, and this fact enabled him to travel by rail as far as Omaha, Nebraska. From that point the trip down the Missouri river to Kansas City, Missouri, was made on a flat boat. The rest of the journey was pursued via Fort Scott to Labette county. In the fall of 1870, when Mr. Bostelmann first arrived in the county, he was accompanied by August Hoffman. They "bached" on the farmer's claim. Mr. Hoffman had purchased the adjoining claim, but still they "bached" together in a 12 by 14 feet box shanty. While away at supper on an adjoining claim, their shanty was set on fire by a posse of 16 men, who, it is thought, wanted to frighten Mr. Bostelmann and his partner away. They did not accomplish their purpose, as the former was not so easily scared, but at once set about to build a log cabin, which soon replaced the box house. The guilty parties were brought to justice, which soon settled all trouble.

Mr. Bostelmann had one brother, Henry, who fell in the German military service. Their father, George Bostelmann, was a native of Germany, and never left his native land.

Frederick Bostelmann was united in marriage with Theresa Minder, a daughter of Daniel Minder, a respected citizen of Springfield, Illinois. Four children have blessed their home. One daughter, Rosie, is deceased. Those living are Mary, Henry and Edna.

Mr. Bostelmann is a man of great industry as a farmer. Success has attended his every effort, and in pecuniary acquisition he has become one of the substantial men of his section. He is a member of the German Evangelical church, and, fraternally, affiliates with Parsons Lodge, No. 12, A. 0. U. W. He is closely attached to the Democratic party, and exercises all his influence in behalf of the interests of that party. During his long residence in Walton township he has gained a large number of friends, who hold him in the highest esteem.