Albert Troester

ALBERT TROESTER is a prominent farmer and blacksmith, residing in the southeast quarter of section 19, Liberty township, Labette county, Kansas. For many years he has been one of the most progressive citizens of the county, and gives assistance to all public enterprises which are for the good of the community. Mr. Troester was born in 1832, in Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Germany, of German parentage.

Frederick Troester, his father, was born in Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, in 1809, and died in Perry county, Illinois, in 1896. He married Elizabeth Kauhl, who was also a native of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Germany, and was born in 1806. She died in Perry county, Illinois, two years before her husband's demise. They reared the following children: Albert, the subject of this sketch; Louisa (Millhausen), of Perry county, Illinois; Fred and George, twins, - the former a resident of Crawford county, Kansas and the latter being deceased; Jane, deceased; Bennet, of Perry county, Illinois; and Louis, living in Missouri.

Albert Troester, the subject of this sketch, came to America in 1848, landing in New Orleans. The same year he went to St. Louis, where he lived for five years, and learned the trade of a blacksmith. In 1853 he went to Perry county, Illinois, and a year later to St. Clair county, in that state, where he made his home for seven years. In 1861 Mr. Troester moved to Washington county, Missouri, where he enlisted in Company E, 10th Reg., Mo. Vol. Inf., and was attached to the Army of the Tennessee. In 1862, he was detailed as head blacksmith of the 6th Wisconsin Battery, and was mustered out at St. Louis, in 1864. Mr. Troester then returned to Washington county, Missouri, where he opened a blacksmith shop, and did a large business for eight years. In 1872 he located in Labette county, Kansas, settling in the southeast quarter of section 19, in Liberty township, where he has since carried on general farming, and has also done blacksmithing. He is a superior workman, and is largely patronized. He is a man of strong personality, and his friends in the county are many. He is kind and generous, and ever ready to lend a helping hand to those in need or distress.

Mr. Troester was wedded to Theresa Schmidt, who was born in Prussia, in 1834. She is a daughter of Ferdinand Schmidt, who was born in Prussia in 1811, and died in that country in 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Troester have had six children, namely: Wilhelmina, deceased; Frank, deceased, whose offspring were, - Ed, Albertina, Will, Mamie, Lizzie, and John, deceased; Frederick, of Joplin, Missouri, whose children are, - Ernest, Charles, Mabel, Lewis, and Bert; Albert, of Labette county, the father of two children, Earle, and Fay; Lizzie (Weber), of Ottawa, Kansas, whose children are, - Masabella and Flora; and Julia (O'Fall), of Labette, Kansas, whose children are, Franika, and Georgia.

Mr. Troester is a Republican in politics. He is a member of the G. A. R. In religious belief he and his wife are devout Catholics.