CONRAD M. VOELKER.
It is certainly a distinction to be known as the youngest county clerk, and in all probability the youngest county official ever elected in the State of Kansas. Such is C. M. Voelker, the efficient and justly popular county clerk of Atchison county. Political honors and preferment rarely come to a really young man, unless he is especially qualified for the work, and has a host of friends who are willing and able to support him and his candidacy. Although young in years, Mr. Voelker is performing his duties in a manner which would reflect distinct credit upon an older individual.
Conrad M. Voelker is a native of Atchison county, having been born May 20, 1889, on a farm, four miles north of Atchison, in Shannon township. His father is Conrad Walker, who was born in Germany November 20, 1856, a son of Karl and Christiana Voelker, who immigrated to America in 1861, and settled on a farm, two miles north of the city, where he operated a dairy and truck farm until his demise. To Karl and Christiana Voelker were born the following children: Conrad; Mrs. Joseph Biddle, of Atchison; Henry, residing in New Orleans; Karl Voelker was twice married, Mrs. S. L. Loyd, of Shannon township, being a daughter of the second marriage. Conrad, father of C. M. Voelker, was reared to manhood in Atchison county, and when he became of age, settled on a 160 acre farm, four miles north of Atchison, which is now one of the best improved farms in the State of Kansas. For a number of years he specialized in the cultivation of cabbage, making a success of the venture, and accumulated considerable money. He became known far and wide as the “Cabbage King” of Kansas, always having the first cabbage on the market, and shipped the product of his fields to points in Kansas and Nebraska in carload lots. The Voelkers have a beautiful, well appointed home, with excellent out buildings. Conrad Voelker married Jennie Mueller, who was born in Cooper county, Missouri, November 15, 1862, a daughter of German parents. To Conrad Voelker and wife were born the following children: Fred C. W., a farmer, living north of Atchison; Conrad M. The Voelkers are members of the Lutheran church.
Conrad M., with whom this narrative is directly concerned, was educated primarily in the district schools, his education being supplemented with one year’s study in the German school in Atchison, and a course in Midland College, where he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1909. He then completed a course in commerce and bookkeeping in the Atchison Business College. While a sophomore of Midland College he won first honors in the oratorical contest, and represented his alma mater at the State oratorical contest, held in Salina, Kan. While yet a student he received the appointment of deputy county clerk under Edward Iverson, March 13, 1910. He was elected to the office on the Republican ticket in November, 1912, and again elected without any opposition in the fall of 1914.
A more intimate personal view of this rising young man was published in the Atchison Champion just previous to assuming the duties of his office after his election:
“Conrad M. Voelker, county clerk elect, when he takes office January 1, 1913, will have the distinction of being the youngest man ever elected to the office of county clerk in Kansas. Mr. Voelker, while he appears to be much older, is but twenty-three years old. He is popular; this was proven by the fact that he was elected by a majority of 955 votes.
“Mr. Voelker is the son of Conrad Voelker. He was born four miles north of Atchison. He never passes up an opportunity to learn something. When four years old Mr. Voelker started to school. He was graduated from the eighth grade at ten years of age, and in 1909 he was graduated from Midland College. When he finished the common schools he studied in a German school for one year; so he both reads and writes German. He completed a double course at the Atchison Business College in five months, graduating in March, 1910, and a few days later he was appointed deputy county clerk. When Mr. Voelker was eighteen years of age he took part in the Kansas intercollegiate oratorical contest, which was held at Salina. There were nineteen other contestants, several of them being men twice the age of Voelker, who were going through college for the second time. Voelker won fourth place in the contest, which in addition to being quite an honor, demonstrated that he has great ability as a public speaker.
“There is no doubt that he will be re-elected two years hence. He undoubtedly will prove to be one of the most efficient county clerks in the history of the county.”
The last paragraph was prophetic, as Mr. Voelker’s second election to the office in 1914 will testify. His re-election was the best evidence of his success and strong personal popularity. Mr. Voelker is affiliated with several fraternal societies, an active party worker, what is known as a good mixer, and a rising young citizen of the county, whose future career will be well worth watching, inasmuch as he is bound to gain greater honors in the years to come, and to climb to a still higher place in the civic life of his home county and State.