Frederick William Hagemeister

FREDERICK WILLIAM HAGEMEISTER, a county commissioner and a farmer in Rooks County, has an enviable record and status among the progressive, earnest, industrious citizens of this section of Kansas. He is not yet forty years old, but is one of the few citizens of his age who can claim Rooks County as his native place. He was born December 14, 1879. His father, William Hagemeister, is one of the most highly respected citizens of the county. Father and son together constitute types of citizenship that merit distinction, since it is from such individuals that communities derive their most substantial characteristics.

William Hagemeister was born in Lippe-Detmold, Germany, February 15, 1843, and came to the United States in 1866. At Nevada City, Missouri, he was a brick manufacturer for ten years. In the fall of 1877 he arrived among the early settlers of Rooks County and in the following spring entered a homestead of a quarter section. He proved up the homestead and eventually had 480 acres devoted to livestock and grain. He lived on the home farm twenty-nine years, and then sold it, being now the owner of a well developed farm of 160 acres adjoining Stockton. He is a democrat, has been honored several times with office and is very active in local matters. He married Eliza Jane Skeen, who was born in Virginia in 1855. They have had three children, but the oldest, a daughter, died in infancy; Frederick W. is the second in age; and Joseph A. lives at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and is a traveling salesman for the Moneyweight Scale Company. He is a Mason and Shriner.

Frederick W. Hagemeister has spent all his life in Rooks County and his active work has always been farming. He lives with his parents on the home farm adjoining Stockton. He was educated in the rural schools through the eighth grade, and spent one year in the Stockton High School. After leaving school he was a teacher in his home county for three years.

Mr. Hagemeister is a director in the National State Bank at Stockton, and a director in the Rooks County Fair Association. He was elected county commissioner from the Second District in 1916 for a four year term. His election was evidence that party politics can not prevail against a high degree of personal popularity and evident qualifications for office. He was chosen as a democrat in a very strong republican district. For two consecutive terms he was also trustee of Iowa Township in Rooks County. Mr. Hagemeister is affiliated with Newahcuba Lodge No. 189, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Solomon Valley Chapter No. 81, Royal Arch Masons, Phillipsburg Commandery, Knights Templar, and Isis Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Salina. He also belongs to Stockton Camp, Modern Woodmen of America, and the Knights and Ladies of Security.

Pages 2349-2350.