Marshall County KS Archives Biographies.....Detweiler, Henry F. 1866 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ks/ksfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com May 31, 2007, 12:32 pm Author: Emma E. Forter (1917) HENRY F. DETWEILER. Henry F. Detweiler, one of Murray township's substantial and progressive farmers and the proprietor of a fine farm of two hundred and eighty acres in section 27 of that township, is a native of Illinois, but has been a resident of this county since he was seventeen years of age. He was born on a farm in Clay county, Illinois, March 31, 1866, son of Henry and Mary (Hillyer) Detweiler, the former a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1832, and the latter, of Ohio, born in 1842, who came to Kansas in 1883 and settled in Marshall county, where they spent the remainder of their lives, honored and influential pioneer citizens. On coming to this county Henry Detweiler settled on a partly-improved farm six miles northwest of Axtell and there established a home for himself and family. He developed the farm, making valuable improvements on the same, and there he and his wife spent their last days, his death occurring in 1898 and hers in April, 1907. He was the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of prime land. They were earnest members of the Christian church and their children were reared in that faith. They were the parents of thirteen children, of whom four sons and three daughters are still living, namely: P. L., of Mina, this county; O. B., of Wichita; Henry R, the subject of this biographical sketch; Mrs. Anna Hawkins, of Topeka; Mrs. Belle Jackson, of Rice county, this state; Mrs. Stella Beason, of Montana, and H. A., a farmer, living one and one-half miles south of Axtell. As noted above, Henry F. Detweiler was seventeen years of age when he came to this county with his parents and he completed his schooling in the district school in the neighborhood of his home. At the age of twenty-one he began farming on his own account and for some years, in- partnership with one of his brothers, was engaged in farming on rented farms, being thus engaged for some years. He rented the John Montgomery farm northwest of Axtell. After his marriage in 1892 he began farming alone and in 1893 bought one hundred and sixty acres of the farm on which he is now living. The next year he established his home there and has ever since made that his place of residence, he and his wife being pleasantly and comfortably situated there. When Mr. Detweiler took possession of the place there were but few improvements on the same, including a little old house. He built a new house and farm buildings to match and has one of the best-equipped farm plants in that part of the county. In 1901 he bought an adjoining tract of one hundred and twenty acres and now has a well-developed and profitably cultivated farm of two hundred and eighty acres. His home is beautifully situated on a hillside, commanding a view of the country for miles about. The house is equipped with a modern heating and lighting system and the commodious barn and other farm buildings are in keeping, everything being nicely arranged for comfort and convenience. In addition to his general farming, Mr. Detweiler gives considerable attention to the raising of live stock and has done very well. In the spring of 1892 Henry F. Detweiler was united in marriage to Agnes Wilson, who was born in Dubuque county, Iowa, daughter of James and Margaret Wilson, and who was visiting with her sister in this county when she met Mr. Detweiler, their marriage taking place shortly afterward. Mr. and Mrs. Detweiler are members of the Presbyterian church and take an earnest interest in the various beneficences of the same. Mr. Detweiler is a Democrat and ever gives his thoughtful attention to local political affairs, but has not been included in the office-seeking class. He is a member of the Masonic lodge at Axtell and of the local lodge of the Knights and Ladies of Security, and in the affairs of both of these organizations takes a warm interest. He and his wife have a very pleasant home and take a proper part in the general social activities of the community in which they live, helpful in promoting all worthy causes thereabout. Additional Comments: Extracted from: History of Marshall County, Kansas: its people, industries, and institutions by Emma E. Forter Indianapolis, Ind.: B.F. Bowen & Co. (1917) File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ks/marshall/bios/detweile524gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ksfiles/ File size: 4.8 Kb