The King home, situated on a bluff overlooking the reaches of the old Missouri river, is noted for its hospitality and good cheer. Their home has been named “Che-me-o-kah,” a Kaw Indian term, meaning “Lodge of the Rising Sun,” or “Sunrise Cottage.” The Kaw Indians had a village on this farm in ancient times. Mr. and Mrs. King are a fine young couple who are highly esteemed by all who know them. Mrs. Richard M. King has one of the most remarkable collections of family heirlooms in Kansas.
JOHN MOECK.
John Moeck, farmer, of Center township, Atchison county, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, March 17, 1869. He is a son of Henry and Eva (Heinz) Moeck, who were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Kathrine Younger, living near Potter, Kan.; Anna, deceased; Henry, farmer, Germany; John, subject of this sketch; Karl, Osborne county, Kansas; Regina, Atchison, Kan.; and George, deceased. The father was born April 3, 1839, in Germany, where he spent his life. He was a son of Henry Moeck, also a native of Germany. His wife, Eva, was born December 1, 1841. She is a native of Germany, and is now living on a farm in that country. John Moeck, the subject of this sketch, attended the schools in Germany, and in 1883 immigrated to the United States, settling in Atchison county, Kansas, where he worked on a farm for his board and clothing. He attended the district schools of Center township until he was twenty-one years old. During this time he was living with his uncle, Fred Moeck, and the following five years he worked as a farm hand. He was then married, and settled down on the farm which he now owns. He rented it for a time, until he was able to accumulate enough to buy it. He bought the place in 1898, and has owned it since that time. The farm consists of 145 acres of fine land, which the owner has improved extensively. Two acres of the place is planted with fine fruit-bearing trees. Mr. Moeck keeps high grade stock on his farm.
The career of Mr. Moeck shows what one can do by hard work. When he arrived in Atchison county he had only four dollars, and every cent that he now owns has been earned by hard work since he came to Atchison county. Mr. Moeck is a self-made man, who has won a desirable place for himself in his community. That his fellow citizens hold him in high regard, is shown by the fact that they elected him to the office of township treasurer for two terms. He has been road overseer, and is now a member of the school board.
In 1895 Mr. Moeck married Kathrine Ziegler, who was born April 5, 1875. She is a native of Germany, and the daughter of George and Agnes (Frommer) Ziegler. When a child five years old Mrs. Moeck came to America with her parents, who settled in Center township, Atchison county. Mr. and Mrs. Moeck have four children: Eva, Louise, Frieda, and Walter, living at home. Mr. Moeck is a Republican. He is an elder in the German Lutheran church. In reviewing his life, it is only fair to say that he is one of those self-made citizens who form the solid foundation of our democracy. By his own efforts he has climbed to the top, and has shown by his life what the man who will try can accomplish.
JOHN O. A. MILLER.
John O. A. Miller, farmer and stockman, of Kapioma township, Atchison county, was born January 1, 1872, in Kapioma township. He is a son of James and Eliza (Russell) Miller, who were the parents of eight children, one of whom is dead. The father, James Miller, was born in Clay county, Missouri, August 3, 1831, and was a son of Moses Miller, a native of Kentucky. James Miller grew up on his father’s farm and at the age of eighteen crossed the wild western plains to New Mexico, working for the Government. He found a few years of the strenuous life enough and settled down to farming in Atchison county in 1854. He bought 160 acres of land from a land company. The farm was composed of good bottom land and he made extensive improvements on the profitable returns which his large crops brought. He was a large breeder of cattle, especially Shorthorns, and his judgment on cattle was regarded as authoritative. He was known throughout that part of the country as the “cattle king.” He farmed 700 acres until his death. During his life time he held a number of township offices. His successful career ended September 12, 1913, with his death at Muscotah, Kan. His wife, who was a native of Iowa, died in 1879.
John Miller grew up on his father’s farm. He attended the Atchison County High School at Effingham, Kan., and after working a short time he went to the State Normal School at Emporia, Kan. To earn his way through college he worked as a farm hand until he had saved enough money to carry him through school. After leaving the State Normal School he rented the farm which he now owns, and in 1912 bought it. The place consists of 160 acres. In 1914 he built a fine barn, which is one of the best in the State for its size. It is 40×52 feet and has a smaller wing, 26×14 feet, with a capacity of seventy-five tons of hay. It is strongly constructed and is a model barn. Mr. Miller maintains that stock as fine as his ought to have a good barn in which to live. He makes a specialty of Percheron horses and Chester White hogs. He is also a breeder of Shorthorn cattle and has maintained the same strain which his father kept. In addition to his activities in the rural life of his neighborhood Mr. Miller is active in the business affairs of Muscotah. He is a director and stockholder in the State Bank at Muscotah, Kan., and has an interest in the Farmers’ Grain and Elevator Supply Company and the Mutual Telephone Company.
In 1903 he married Jane Ernst, who was born November 6, 1871, in Kapioma township, Atchison county. She is a daughter of John and Eliza (Lewis) Ernst. The father is a native of Germany and the mother of Norway, and both came to Atchison county, Kansas, in the early days. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have two children: Alice E. and Mary E., twins, who are living at home. Mr. Miller is a Democrat and has been treasurer of Kapioma township. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.