John H. Junkens

JOHN H. JUNKENS, a well known farmer of Cherokee County, who has many warm friends throughout the county, has a farm of 160 acres of land in Ross township, in section 22, township 31, range 23. He is a native of Rush County, Indiana, and was the first settler in this section. He is a son of John and Mary (McHatten) Junkens, the father being a native of Jamestown, Ohio, and the mother of Bourbon County, Kentucky. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, spent most of his years, until the age of 21, in Ohio, and then went to Rush County, Indiana, where he married. To this marriage were born a family of six children, three of whom are living. Both parents died in Indiana when John H. was very young, and he was left to the mercy of strangers.

John H. Junkens spent his early years in Rush County, Indiana, and was compelled to work very hard as a boy. He enjoyed little, if any, chance to obtain an education, but grasped the few opportunities he had. In May, 1872, although only 22 years of age, he decided to go Westward, and choosing Kansas as the most desirable State, came to Cherokee County and located on 160 acres of wild prairie land in section 22, township 31, range 23. It was a pretty wild life, with no neighbors, and only the seemingly endless prairie, without fences, or any sign of improvement, to be seen. But the pluck and energy that carried him through an orphaned childhood was brought to bear here; work on the unbroken land was begun, and the foundation of a future good home was laid.

In 1877, the subject of this sketch married Harriet Claussen, a native of Illinois. To this union one child was born, Deuard F., who married Kate Jones, of Columbus, Kansas, and with his wife resides with his parents on the farm.

Mr. Junkens has made his home in the township in which he first located. The improvements on the land are due to his unceasing toil and perseverance and the farm is one of the many fine ones in this section. On it are produced all kinds of grain, and the raising of horses, mules, cattle, hogs and sheep is also carried on.

At the breaking out of the Civil War, Mr. Junkens enlisted when but a youth. He served as a member of Company K, 134th Reg., Indiana Vol. Inf., in the 20th Army Corps, under Capt. Joseph R. Silvers, and Col. James Gavin. He participated in a number of important battles, and was discharged May 24, 1864.

Mr. Junkens supports the Republican ticket on election day, but cares little for politics. He takes an intelligent interest in the afairs of his local community, where his long residence and upright character have made him a man of much influence. He and his family are highly regarded by all.

History of Cherokee County Kansas and its representative citizens, ed. & comp. by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, 1904, transcribed by Jeremy Essley, student from USD 508, Baxter Springs Middle School, Baxter Springs, Kansas, 4/22/97