J. G. Polster

J .G. POLSTER, one of the old and respected citizens of Baxter Springs and a prominent Republican politician of Cherokee County, has been identified with the business affairs of this city for the past 35 years. He was born in Hungary, January 10, 1840, and as a son of John and Elizabeth Polster.

The parents of Mr. Polter were also natives of Hungary. They came to America in 1858 and settled in Warren Country, Missouri, where the father subsequently died. The mother still survives and lives in the city of St. Louis. at the advanced age of 92 years. Their eight children were: J. G., of this sketch; Mary, wife of Louis Redmiller of St. Louis; Rosina, wife of Fred Koch, of Warren County, Missouri; Theodore, a traveling man, now engaged in a hotel business at St. Louis; Elizabeth, also a resident of St. Louis; Tobias, in a real estate business and conducting a World's Fair hotel, at St. Louis; and Mina, who also resides in that city.

Mr. Polster was educated in the Hungarian schools and then went to Vienna, where he was instructed in the jewelry trade, remaining, there for three years. After coming to America in 1858, he worked at his trade in St.Louis, until 1861, when he went to Springfield, Missouri, where he embarked in the jewelry business for himself. Finding conditions of trade less acceptable there than at St. Louis, he closed out his business at Springfield three years later and returned to St.Louis. In 1870 he located at Baxter Springs and accepted a partnership with his brother, who was established here in a large general mercantile business. Until 1878 the brothers operated the largest store in Baxter Springs. Then our subject purchased his present property and opened up a drug and jewelry store, to which he has added wall paper, paints, oils, glass and general notions, his large and complete stock being valued at not less than $10,000. It is the leading store of its kind in its section of the county. He is a large property owner both in Baxter Springs and in St. Louis, and owns a large interest in the Visitors' World's Fair Hotel and Restaurant, whitch is being operated in the beautiful Missouri city by his brother Tobias. During these months of deep interest there, its hospitality has been extended to not only many visitors from far off Hungary, but from all portions of the globe, who find there rest and refreshment.

Mr. Polster has always taken a deep and intelligent interest in politics and has supported the Republican party since the election of President Lincoln. For some 20 years he served as a useful member of the City Council and has given liberally of his means and time to increase the city's civic importance. During these long years of residence here, he has earned honor and respect and is justly considered one of the representative men of this part ofthe State.

History of Cherokee County Kansas and its represinitive citizens, ed. & comp. by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, 1904, transcribed by students from USD 508, Baxter Springs, Kansas, Feb.26, 1997