JOHN FANKHANEL.
John Fankhanel, deceased, was born June 11, 1822, in Saxony, Germany. When a youth he learned the blacksmith’s trade which he plied in his native village until 1862, when he immigrated to America, first settling in Weston, Mo., and later going to Ft. Leavenworth, where he was employed as a blacksmith by the United States Government. He saved his money, and in 1879 came to Atchison county and invested in 160 acres of land in Benton township, located four miles northeast of Effingham. He improved this farm and cultivated it successfully for a number of years, and about the year 1900 he turned it over to his son, Henry, and purchased the farm now owned by Gus Stutz. He resided on this place until his retirement to a comfortable home in Lancaster in 1901, where he died December 24, 1914, leaving a reputation for honesty and industry second to none in his neighborhood. Mr. Fankhanel was a member of the German Lutheran church. He was twice married, his first wife having been born in Germany, and died in Leavenworth, Kan., leaving one son, Henry, now a farmer in Benton township.
Mr. Fankhanel was again married in 1882, to Mrs. Emma Lindel, widow of Frederick Lindel. She was born in Bavaria, Germany, August 20, 1841, and lived in her native country until she was eighteen years of age, and then came to Illinois. Shortly after her arrival she married Frederick Lindel, also a native of Germany, and a farmer in Illinois. To this union were born five children, two of whom are living, namely: Mrs. Minnie Dorety, of Garfield, Okla.; and Herman, a farmer, residing near Leavenworth, Kan. The marriage of John and Emma Fankhanel was without issue.
Mrs. Fankhanel is a capable and worthy lady, who enjoys the respect and esteem of her neighbors and friends. She is kind and neighborly, and is ever ready to assist those of her acquaintances who are in need. She is living in Lancaster in comfortable circumstances, where she owns a good home and village property, and also a farm of sixty-five acres in Leavenworth county. She is a member of the German Lutheran church.