GEORGE MOERER.

The unostentatious routine of private life, although of vast importance to the welfare of the community, has not figured to any great extent in the pages of history. But the names of men who have distinguished themselves by the possession of characteristics that have enabled them to conquer an adverse fate and advance their individual prosperity and at the same time contribute to the public good should not be permitted to perish. Their example is more valuable to the majority of readers than that of heroes, statesmen and writers for it is the few who enter such lines of life while the many are found in the great fields of agriculture and commerce and desire to know of methods that will aid them in such branches of business. The history of George Moerer should not fail to serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to those who would know of practical methods for he has depended upon industry and perseverance to gain advancement to a position among the wealthy and highly respected citizens of Woodson county.

A native of Prussia, he was born December 3, 1835, a son of Christopher and Sophia (Struwe) Moerer, who were also natives of Germany, whence they came to America in 1853, landing at Galveston, Texas, on the 26th of December. They remained for about a year in the Lone Star

state, and then went to Platt county, Missouri, but wishing to locate where they could secure cheap land they removed to Nemaha county, Nebraska. The mother died in Missouri, but the father followed farming in Nebraska until his death which occurred when he was seventy-seven years of age. They had four children, but only two are now living—Frantz and George, the elder now a resident of Nebraska.

George Moerer spent the first eighteen years of his life in the fatherland and then accompanied his parents to the New World. He soon commenced work by the month on a farm and was thus employed until he had saved money enough with which to purchase four hundred and twenty acres of raw prairie land in Nebraska. There he made a good farm and completed his arrangements for a home by his marriage to Miss Sophia Zabel. For twenty-three years he resided upon his Nebraska farm, making many excellent improvements and transforming it into a valuable property. In October, 1885, he came to Kansas and located at his present home, purchasing seven hundred and twenty acres of land on Cherry Creek, in Everett township, two miles north and five miles east of Yates Center. The place was well improved with large barns and other buildings and all modern accessories and conveniences for facilitating the farm work and rendering it profitable. His buildings stand on the east bank of Cherry creek, close to the timber which borders each side of the stream and furnishes him all the wood which he needs for use upon the farm. The place is well stocked with cattle and horses and he raises none but the best grades. His stock gives every indication of good breeding and Mr. Moerer finds no difficulty in making sales when he wishes to dispose of either horses or cattle. In addition to his present farm of seven hundred and twenty acres. Mr. Moerer was also the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he divided equally between two of his sons.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Moerer was blessed with ten children and with the exception of one who died in infancy all are yet living, namely: Frank, who resides near his father, Ida, who is acting as her father's housekeeper; Julius, a resident of Woodson county; Emma, wife of D. L. Gregory, who is living in Southport, Tennessee; Martha, wife of Henry Kopper, of Woodson county; William, Henry, Albert and Lydia, who are still at home.

Mr. Moerer exercises his right of franchise in support of the Democracy, but has never sought office, giving his undivided attention to his business, whereby he has won success. The subject of this review has through his own exertions attained an honorable position and marked sistency[sic] it may be said that he is the architect of his own fortunes, and is one whose prosperity amply justifies the application of the somewhat hackneyed but most expressive title, "a self- made man."

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