William C. Ondler

WILLIAM C. ONDLER, living on the southwest quarter of section 9, is one of the prosperous and well-to-do farmers of Oswego township, Labette county, Kansas. He was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, in 1816, and is a son of Philip and Sally (Sherrets) Ondler.

Philip Ondler was a native of France, and was born in 1833. He came to America in 1847, settling in Tuscarawas county, Ohio. In 1872, he moved to Linn county, Iowa, where he now resides. Mr. Ondler and his wife had 13 children, as follows: William, the subject of this sketch; Leroy; Ira E.; Madison; John; Lewis, deceased; Harley; Fred; Matilda; Mahala; Cora; Rhoda; and Grace, deceased.

William C. Ondler moved with his parents to Linn county, Iowa, in 1864, and there obtained an elementary primary education. He was married in 1876, and continued to live in Linn county until i891, when he moved to Wright county, and remained there one year. From Wright county he went to Osceola county, Iowa, where he was engaged in the livery business four years. During all this time, however, he was also occupied in farming and stock raising. In 1896 Mr. Ondler sold out all his interests in Iowa, and moved to Labette county, Kansas, where he bought his present home in the southwest quarter of section 9, Oswego township. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising, and is very successful.

Mr. Ondler was united in marriage with Maria Fairchild, who was born in Linn county, Iowa, in 1853, and is a daughter of John and Sarah (Ellis) Fairchild. John Fairchild was born in 1832, and is still living in Iowa. His wife was born in 1846, and died in 1883. Mrs. Ondler, whose death occurred March 26, 1897, was the mother of nine children, namely: Charles, deceased; Ella; Elsie; Effie; Eva; Ethel; Eula; Cecil; and Cloyd. On April 29, 1900, Mr. Ondler married, for his second wife, Mrs. Nora Smith, of Indiana, who by a former marriage with James Smith had become the mother of five children, as follows: Bruce C., Samuel C., James F., Michael, and Rosa. Mr. Ondler is a stanch Republican in politics, and an active worker in his party.