Barton County KS Archives Biographies.....Both, Julius 1844 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@gmail.com November 9, 2005, 9:53 pm

Author: Great Bend Tribune

JULIUS BOTH

"STONE BRIDGE HOMESTEAD," the home of Julius Both, fourteen miles west of Great
Bend, takes its name from the first and only stone bridge built on Dry creek and
was used as a lookout, or point of observation by Mr. Both at a time when he
thought it was necessary to keep an eye on roving bands of Indians, and on the
buffalo, antelope, deer, gray wolves and coyotes that infested the country in
1871. He came to the county in the spring of that year, and first worked for
John Cook, Sr., and then engaged in hunting buffalo and other game for the first
four or five years. In 1873 he entered his claim to a homestead, and that and
later purchases make up the valuable farm of three hundred and twenty acres
included in his home farm. He owns another half section in Pawnee county, and
both places are well improved and in a high state of cultivation.

  Julius Both claims to be the first white settler in Clarence township, and had
as neighbors Judge Morton who doctored the community, and D. M. Woodburn, who
were between him and the county seat. His first acquired property was a half
starved horse located from his perch in "lookout tree," and this served to
transport the game which he killed, but was not sufficient to break the soil to
be cultivated, and what corn that was planted was placed in holes made in the
turf with a hatchet. The garden was prepared in this way and cultivated with
improvised implements made from whatever would best stir or turn the soil. There
was little cultivated the first five years, and Mr. Both, John Gruber and others
hunted the plains and often went as far west as Dodge City. They got their
supplies and mail from Russell and Ellsworth, Kansas, and were usually absent
from borne, leaving the care of the family and little ones to the faithful wife.
Her lot was not enviable, and the pioneer mothers of Barton County deserve great
praise for their fortitude and devotion to their husbands and families.
  
[photo] Farm Home of Julius Both in 1886

[photo] Present Farm Home of Julius Both


  Julius Both was born in the village of Linde, Germany, September 28th, 1844;
served an apprenticeship as a miller, and followed the trade until coming to
America in 1870. He first located at Fon Du Lac, Wisconsin, and found work in a
sash factory. In the spring of 1871 he came to Barton County. He married Miss
Anna Baruth shortly before sailing from his home in Germany, and they are the
parents of four children: Mrs. Matilda Merten, Mrs. Mary Spies and Kate and Tina
Both. The children all reside at home and assist their parents on the farm with
the exception of Mrs. Merten, and with the grand children make up a happy and
contented family.


Additional Comments:
From:
Biographical History Of Barton County


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