Robert L. Grimes was born February 11, 1852, in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, a son of James and Margaret (Laughlin) Grimes, both of whom were born and reared in that county. The father was born May 1, 1824, and was the son of Henry and Sallie Grimes, who came of old pioneer stock in the Keystone State, and were of Scotch and German descent. Henry was a blacksmith and made a good living for his family. James Grimes was reared in his native county, and when he grew up became a farmer. He tilled the soil in Pennsylvania until 1871, and then disposed of his holdings, and migrated westward, to Kansas, investing his cash capital in Lancaster township, where he bought 160 acres, located in sections 15, 5 and 18, Atchison county. There were little or no improvements on his land when he bought it, but with characteristic thrift, he improved the land and made it into a desirable place of residence. Like others who came to the county in that early day he went through the “grasshopper era,” and was discouraged for a time but held on, and as a result became fairly well to do in the course of time, as better years followed the lean era. He lived on his farm until his demise in 1905, and at the time of his death was one of the well respected and best known citizens of his township. Grimes, senior, was married in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, to Margaret A. Laughlin, and this marriage was blessed by the following children: Robert Laughlin, subject of this sketch; William, a farmer of Lancaster township; Elizabeth, deceased; John A., Huron, Kan.; Mrs. Sallie Hardin, Lancaster township, and Hugh L., Lancaster township. The mother of the foregoing children was born February 12, 1828, and departed this life in 1901. She left the impress of a noble and womanly character upon the lives of her children, who have all led exemplary lives and been a credit to their parents. She was a daughter of Robert Laughlin, a farmer of Pennsylvania.
Robert L., with whom this review is directly concerned, was reared to young manhood on the family farm in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, received his early education in the nearby district school, and at the age of nineteen years accompanied his parents to the new home in this county. His first schooling was obtained in the Mt. Vernon district in his native county, and he also attended the school near his new home in Lancaster township, when not assisting his father in developing their Kansas farm. He remained on the home farm until he was twenty-seven years of age, and after his marriage, he launched into agricultural pursuits for himself by renting a tract of land for two years. His first efforts in his own behalf were successful and he then used his savings to purchase a tract of land in Lancaster township, south of Eden. His first investment was in a farm of 160 acres, which he improved as his prosperity continued to increase. By the exercise of industry, self-denial and good financial management, he has become the owner of 350 acres of fine land. This land has twenty-five acres of standing timber, which is a valuable asset when one considers that timber is almost a rarity in the greater part of Kansas. Mr. Grimes cultivated his land until 1914, when he decided to shift some of the burden which grew heavy as he felt himself taking on added years, and he accordingly rented it, but retains the supervision of the farm.
For several years Mr. Grimes has been a breeder of Shorthorn cattle, and takes considerable interest in his fine stock. His success in farming is due to the fact that he has not been content to just be an ordinary farmer, but has endeavored to keep abreast of the latest developments in agriculture and has aimed to keep the best of live stock on his place. He has an excellent barn, 32×60 feet in dimension, with a capacity of eighty tons of hay, and which cost over $1,500, despite the fact that most of the lumber used in its construction was cut and sawed from the timber on his place.
Mr. Grimes was married April 16, 1879, to Miss Viola Wilson, who has borne him two children: Mrs. Edith Shufflebarger, living on a farm in Lancaster township, and Mrs. Franketta Carson, whose husband is farming the Grimes farm land. Mrs. Grimes was born in Lancaster township, December 21, 1862, and is a daughter of Andrew and Nancy (Carpenter) Wilson, who came to Atchison county from Kentucky in the early pioneer days. Andrew Wilson was a Union veteran who saw valiant service during the Civil war.
In political matters Mr. Grimes has always been identified with the Democratic party, and has served as a member of the school board in his township. He attends religious services at the Methodist Episcopal church, and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
CHRIST KANNING.
The proverbial success of the members of the German race, who have left the Fatherland in search of fortune in America, is well illustrated in reviewing the career of Christ Kanning, of Lancaster township, Atchison county, Kansas. In a little more than a score of years, beginning with practically no capital, Mr. Kanning has accumulated 240 acres of the best land in Atchison county. He is the owner of two well improved farms, and it was necessary for him to build practically all of the improvements on his home place since purchasing the land in 1893.
Christ Kanning was born in Westphalia, a province of Prussia in the German Empire, May 20, 1854. He is a son of Henry and Christena (Poos) Kanning, who were the parents of seven children, three of whom are deceased. The parents spent their lives in the Fatherland. Christ Kanning is the only member of the family living in Atchison county; two of the children live in Germany, and the other resides in Illinois. Christ received eight years of schooling in his native land, became a farmer in Westphalia, and in 1889 left the old home and immigrated to Madison county, Illinois, where he worked as a farm hand four years. In 1893 he migrated westward, to Atchison county, and with his savings bought eighty acres of land in section 24, Lancaster township. This tract was improved at the time of purchase, but Christ, in keeping with the policy of his neighbors and the other enterprising farmers of this noted township, was not satisfied with the buildings, and has practically replaced all the original improvements with residence and barns more in keeping with his ambition and prosperity. He has erected a large, eight-room residence, and a barn 40×46 feet, a granary, and a large windmill which pumps the water for his home and live stock. The Harry Searls place, which he also owns, is a very well improved farm, and is located just one-half mile east of the home farm of Mr. Kanning. It is a well kept modern place. Mr. Kanning keeps graded stock on his place.
Mr. Kanning was married February 29, 1888, to Caroline Stahlhut, and this marriage has been blessed with seven children, namely: Henry, deceased; Mrs. Christina Poos, Benton township; Mrs. Mary W. Poos, Benton township; Bertha, Otto, William, and Ada, all of whom are at home with their parents. Mrs. Kanning was born April 27, 1869, in Madison county, Illinois, and is a daughter of Henry and Mary (Debtner) Stahlhut, both of whom were natives of Germany, immigrating to America and settling in Madison county, Illinois, where they died. Mr. Kanning is one of those citizens who believe in doing their own thinking in political affairs, and is not allied with any political party, voting for the man, regardless of his politics, and making up his own mind as to each candidate’s personal fitness to ably perform the duties of the office sought. He and his family are members of the German Lutheran church.