CHARLES LANGE.
Charles Lange, farmer, Center township, Atchison county, was born in Germany, January 11, 1865. He is a son of Karl and Marie (Poos) Lange, who were the parents of three children, as follows: Charles, subject of this sketch; Mrs. Mary Rathert, Center township, Atchison county, and Minnie, married C. Kloepper, living in Jefferson county. Karl Lange, the father, was born March 13, 1838, in Germany, and left his native land in the fall of 1874, coming to Atchison county, where he rented for a short time. He then bought the place where his son now lives, which contained 140 acres. The place was fenced with rails and a log cabin had been built, and the barn was of straw. Taking this primitive farm in 1874, Mr. Lange began improving it, and in 1883 he built a fine six-room house and made a number of other improvements. In 1902 he retired and moved to Nortonville, Kan., where he died in 1910. The mother of Charles Lange was born in Germany, July 31, 1841. She is now living in Nortonville, Kan.
Charles Lange attended school in Germany four years and also went to the district school in Center township, Atchison county. He has always lived on his present farm, and looked after his father’s affairs until the latter’s death. He now owns the old home place, which includes 375 acres, sixty acres of which is in corn. He is a thorough farmer and keeps high grade stock. In 1901 Mr. Lange was married to Martha Straub, who was born January 17, 1881, in Baden, Germany. At the age of five years she left Germany with her parents, Joseph and Salme (Hilderbrandt) Straub, who came to America. In 1904 they settled in Mt. Pleasant township, Atchison county, where the father followed farming. Mr. and Mrs. Lange have six children, all of whom are living at home. They are: Erna, Charles, Jr., Henry, Emma, Julius, and Ella. Mr. Lange is a Republican, and attends the Lutheran church.